Tomofumi Yamaguchi1, Tue Hvass Petersen2, Henrik Kirk3, Christian Forman4, Christian Svane5, Mathilde Kofoed-Hansen6, Finn Boesen7, Jakob Lorentzen8. 1. Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. Electronic address: tyamaguchi@sund.ku.dk. 2. Research Unit on Brain Injury Neurorehabilitation, Rigshospitalet, Kettegaard Alle 30, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. 3. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports and Elsass Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. 4. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports and Elsass Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. Electronic address: forman@sund.ku.dk. 5. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports and Elsass Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. Electronic address: christian.svane@sund.ku.dk. 6. Movotec A/S, Holmegaardsvej 28, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark. 7. The Danish MS Hospitals, Ringstedvej 106, DK-4650 Haslev, Denmark. Electronic address: fbs@sclerosehospital.dk. 8. Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports and Elsass Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. Electronic address: jlorentzen@sund.ku.dk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated ankle stiffness in adults with and without neurological disorders and investigated the accuracy and reproducibility of a clinically applicable method using a dynamometer. METHODS: Measurements were obtained from 8 healthy subjects (age 39.3), 9 subjects with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) (age 39.8) and 8 subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) (age 49.9). Slow and fast dorsiflexion stretches of the ankle joint were performed to evaluate passive muscle-tendon-joint stiffness, reflex mediated stiffness and range of movement (ROM), respectively. Intra/inter-rater reliability for passive and reflex mediated ankle muscle stiffness was assessed for all groups. RESULTS: Subjects with CP and MS showed significantly larger values of passive stiffness in the triceps surae muscle tendon complex and smaller ROM compared to healthy individuals, while no significant difference in reflex mediated stiffness. Measurements of passive muscle-tendon-joint stiffness and reflex mediated stiffness showed good to excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability (ICC: 0.62-0.91) in all groups. CONCLUSION: Increased stiffness was found in subjects with CP and MS with a clinically applicable method that provides valid and reproducible measurement of passive ankle muscle-tendon-joint stiffness and reflex mediated stiffness. SIGNIFICANCE: The present technique may provide important supplementary information for the clinician.
OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated ankle stiffness in adults with and without neurological disorders and investigated the accuracy and reproducibility of a clinically applicable method using a dynamometer. METHODS: Measurements were obtained from 8 healthy subjects (age 39.3), 9 subjects with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) (age 39.8) and 8 subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) (age 49.9). Slow and fast dorsiflexion stretches of the ankle joint were performed to evaluate passive muscle-tendon-joint stiffness, reflex mediated stiffness and range of movement (ROM), respectively. Intra/inter-rater reliability for passive and reflex mediated ankle muscle stiffness was assessed for all groups. RESULTS: Subjects with CP and MS showed significantly larger values of passive stiffness in the triceps surae muscle tendon complex and smaller ROM compared to healthy individuals, while no significant difference in reflex mediated stiffness. Measurements of passive muscle-tendon-joint stiffness and reflex mediated stiffness showed good to excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability (ICC: 0.62-0.91) in all groups. CONCLUSION: Increased stiffness was found in subjects with CP and MS with a clinically applicable method that provides valid and reproducible measurement of passive ankle muscle-tendon-joint stiffness and reflex mediated stiffness. SIGNIFICANCE: The present technique may provide important supplementary information for the clinician.
Authors: Caitlin L Hurd; Michelle Barnes; Christa M Diot; Elizabeth G Condliffe; Hana Alazem; Lesley Pritchard; Jennifer D Zwicker; Anna McCormick; Man-Joe Watt; John Andersen; Adam Kirton; Jaynie F Yang Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2022-08-10 Impact factor: 2.567