The modified Ashworth scale is the most universally accepted clinical tool used to measure the increase of muscle tone. [1] Spasticity was defined by Jim Lance in 1980, as a velocity-dependent increase in muscle stretch reflexes associated with increased muscle tone as a component of upper motor neuron syndrome.

Tardieu is a scale for measuring spasticity that takes into account resistance to passive movement at both slow and fast speed. The scale originally began development in the 1950s and has gone through multiple revisions (reviewed in Haugh and Pandyan, 2006).

Physiotherapy for Spasticity Muscles stretching to relieve tightness and ease pain. Strengthening exercises as spastic muscles may also be weak. Regular weight bearing activities in the upper and lower limbs. Instructing family or carers on positioning techniques in lying, sitting and standing to help reduce spasticity.

0 to 4
The Modified Ashworth Scale is a 6-point scale. Scores range from 0 to 4, where lower scores represent normal muscle tone and higher scores represent spasticity. It is characterized by exaggerated deep tendon reflexes that interfere with muscular activity, gait, movement, or speech.

Modified Ashworth Scale: Similar to Ashworth, but adds a 1+ scoring category to indicate resistance through less than half of the movement. Scores range from 0-4, with 6 choices (Bohannon & Smith, 1987).

The Tardieu Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) are clinical measures of muscle spasticity. It is characterized by exaggerated deep tendon reflexes that interfere with muscular activity, gait, movement, or speech. Spasticity can increase initially but wane down later on, after stroke.

Any weight bearing of the upper extremity either at the wall, table, or floor helps sends signals to the brain that reminds it the arm is still there. Strengthening can improve spasticity in two ways. By strengthening the antagonist (opposing) muscle, it can help inhibit the reaction of the spastic muscle.

Spasticity is a symptom of multiple sclerosis that causes your muscles to feel stiff, heavy and difficult to move. A spasm is a sudden stiffening of a muscle which may cause a limb to kick out or jerk towards your body.

The Modified Ashworth Scale is considered the primary clinical measure of muscle spasticity. It is characterized by exaggerated deep tendon reflexes that interfere with muscular activity, gait, movement, or speech. Spasticity can increase initially but wane down later on, after stroke.

Definition: A reflex characterized by upward movement of the great toe and an outward movement of the rest of the toes, when the sole of the foot is stroked. It is a normal reflex up to the age of two. Its presence beyond that age indicates neurological damage.

Clonus is a neurological condition that occurs when nerve cells that control the muscles are damaged. This damage causes involuntary muscle contractions or spasms. Clonus spasms often occur in a rhythmic pattern.