Objective documentation of the relationship between spasticity and rate of passive movement

A device capable of providing quantified, objective measurements of spasticity has been described and its utility in the investigation of the phenomena of spasticity has been documented by the presentation of the results of one study. Although the clinical relevance of this work may not immediately be apparent because no specific exercise programme was evaluated, two observations may find application in treatment of patients. There was a difference in the significance of the increases in response of cerebral lesion and cord lesion patients to increasing rates of movement. There was a difference in the significance of the increases in the responses of the hamstrings and quadriceps to increasing rates of passive movement in each group of patients.