Inter- and intra-rater variability of testing velocity when assessing lower limb spasticity

Megan A Banky; Ross Clark; Yong-Hao Pua; Benjamin Mentiplay; John H Olver; Gavin Williams

doi:10.2340/16501977-2496

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Inter- and intra-rater variability of testing velocity when assessing lower limb spasticity

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Inter- and intra-rater variability of testing velocity when assessing lower limb spasticity

Megan A Banky, Ross Clark, Yong-Hao Pua, Benjamin Mentiplay, John H Olver and Gavin Williams

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol.51(1), pp.54-60

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2496

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Abstract

rehabilitation

lower extremity

central nervous system diseases

reproducibility of results

muscle spasticity

outcome assessment

Objective: To establish the variability of fast testing velocity and joint range of motion and position when assessing lower-limb spasticity in individuals following neurological injury. Design: Observational study of people with lower-limb spasticity. Subjects: Patients with an upper motor neurone lesion (n= 35) and clinicians experienced in spasticity assessment (n= 34) were included. Methods: The Modified Tardieu scale (MTS) was completed on the quadriceps, hamstrings (2 positions), gastrocnemius and soleus for each participant's more affected lower limb by 3 assessors. Mean absolute differences (MADs) were used to calculate variability as a measure of reliability. Results: Variability of peak testing velocity was greater at the ankle joint compared with the knee joint. The greatest MAD for V3 (fast) inter-rater testing velocity was 119°/s in the soleus, representing 29.4% of the mean variable value, and least for the quadriceps (64.3°/s; 18.5%). Inter-rater variability was higher than intra-rater variability for all testing parameters. The MAD for joint end angle ranged from 2.6° to 10.7° and joint start angle from 1.2° to 14.4°. Conclusion: There was a large degree of inter- and intra-rater variability in V3 testing velocity when using the MTS to assess lower limb spasticity. The inter-rater variability was approximately double the intra-rater variability.

Details

Title: Inter- and intra-rater variability of testing velocity when assessing lower limb spasticity
Authors: Megan A Banky (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Ross Clark (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Yong-Hao Pua (Author) - Singapore General Hospital
Benjamin Mentiplay (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
John H Olver (Author) - Epworth Monash Rehabilitation Medicine Unit
Gavin Williams (Corresponding Author) - University of Melbourne
Publication details: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol.51(1), pp.54-60
Publisher: Foundation for Rehabilitation Information
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2496
ISSN: 1650-1977; 1650-1977
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450796302621
Output Type: Journal article
Research Statement: false

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Rehabilitation; Sport Sciences

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