Robotic pilot study for analysing spasticity: clinical data versus healthy controls.

Journal: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation
Published Date:

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spasticity is a motor disorder that causes significant disability and impairs function. There are no definitive parameters that assess spasticity and there is no universally accepted definition. Spasticity evaluation is important in determining stages of recovery. It can determine treatment effectiveness as well as how treatment should proceed. This paper presents a novel cross sectional robotic pilot study for the primary purpose of assessment. The system collects force and position data to quantify spasticity through similar motions of the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) assessment in the Sagittal plane. Validity of the system is determined based on its ability to measure velocity dependent resistance.

Authors

  • Nitin Seth
    University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, ON, Canada. sethn@uoguelph.ca.
  • Denise Johnson
    Hamilton Health Sciences, Regional Rehabilitation Centre, 300 Wellington Rd North, L8L 0A4, Hamilton, ON, Canada. johnsden@hhsc.ca.
  • Graham W Taylor
    University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, ON, Canada. gwtaylor@uoguelph.ca.
  • O Brian Allen
    University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, ON, Canada. ballen@uoguelph.ca.
  • Hussein A Abdullah
    University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, ON, Canada. habdulla@uoguelph.ca.