Reduction of spasticity in cerebral palsy using feedback of the tonic stretch reflex: a controlled study

Subjects with cerebral palsy aged six to 19 years undertook a training programme to reduce spasticity and contracture of the triceps surae muscle using feedback of the gain of the tonic stretch reflex. Stretch reflex gain was significantly reduced (by 50 per cent on average) in all eight test subjects, whereas there was no significant change in control subjects, matched for age and level of spasticity, who had no reflex training. Contracture of the triceps surae muscle was not altered. Since the reduction in spasticity can be expected to slow the recurrence of muscle shortening, it is suggested that for correction of muscle contracture, muscle-lengthening procedures to promote muscle growth should be combined with reflex training to maintain the growth achieved.