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Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

A novel sensor-based assessment of lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy

Authors: Seoyoung Choi, Yong Beom Shin, Soo-Yeon Kim, Jonghyun Kim

Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

To provide effective interventions for spasticity, accurate and reliable spasticity assessment is essential. For the assessment, the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) has been widely used owing to its simplicity and convenience. However, it has poor or moderate accuracy and reliability.

Methods

We proposed a novel inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based MTS assessment system to improve the accuracy and reliability of the MTS itself. The proposed system consists of a joint angle calculation algorithm, a function to detect abnormal muscle reaction (a catch and clonus), and a visual biofeedback mechanism. Through spastic knee and ankle joint assessment, the proposed IMU-based MTS assessment system was compared with the conventional MTS assessment system in 28 children with cerebral palsy by two raters.

Results

The results showed that the proposed system has good accuracy (root mean square error < 3.2°) and test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities (ICC > 0.8), while the conventional MTS system has poor or moderate reliability. Moreover, we found that the deteriorated reliability of the conventional MTS system comes from its goniometric measurement as well as from irregular passive stretch velocity.

Conclusions

The proposed system, which is clinically relevant, can significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of the MTS in lower limbs for children with cerebral palsy.
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Metadata
Title
A novel sensor-based assessment of lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy
Authors
Seoyoung Choi
Yong Beom Shin
Soo-Yeon Kim
Jonghyun Kim
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1743-0003
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-018-0388-5

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