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Related Experiment Videos

Does spasticity contribute to walking dysfunction after stroke?

L Ada1, W Vattanasilp, N J O'Dwyer

  • 1School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe NSW, Australia. L.Ada@cchs.su.edu.au

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|May 23, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Spasticity in calf muscles is common after stroke but unlikely to cause walking problems in ambulant patients. Rehabilitation should focus on factors other than spasticity for improved gait function.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Spasticity of calf muscles is clinically assumed to impair walking post-stroke.
  • Gastrocnemius muscle spasticity's role in gait dysfunction requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the contribution of gastrocnemius muscle spasticity to walking dysfunction in ambulant stroke survivors.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 14 ambulant stroke patients and 15 healthy controls.
  • Measured resting and action tonic stretch reflexes of the gastrocnemius muscle during simulated walking.
  • Assessed spasticity and its potential contribution to gait dysfunction.

Main Results:

  • Two-thirds of stroke patients showed resting spasticity; controls did not.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Action tonic stretch reflexes were similar in stroke patients and controls during walking.
  • No increased resistance to dorsiflexion was observed in stroke patients due to exaggerated reflexes.

    • Conclusions:

    • Most stroke patients exhibit spasticity, but it does not increase resistance during walking.
    • Spasticity is unlikely to be the primary cause of walking problems in ambulant stroke patients.
    • Rehabilitation should consider factors beyond spasticity for effective gait improvement.