Pendulum testing of spasticity

Simple and inexpensive instrumentation required for pendulum testing of spasticity is described. It is based on the use of an electrogoniometer and tachometer. Eight parameters are extracted from the goniogram and the tachogram to evaluate the degree of spasticity. The correlation coefficients are calculated to determine the parameters relevant for the estimation of spasticity. Spasticity was assessed in the knee extensors of ten spinal cord injury patients and in five hemiplegics. The described instrumentation and evaluation of the pendulum test provide an effective spasticity testing in the clinical environment.