Modified Ashworth Scale

The modified Ashworth scale is the most universally accepted clinical tool used to measure the increase of muscle tone. 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. Spasticity has a wide range of etiologies, including brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, trauma, and spinal cord injury. In a study looking at the prevalence of spasticity in stroke populations, 42.6% of stroke patients developed spasticity, and severe spasticity occurred in 15.6% of patients. Another study looking at the prevalence of spasticity in cerebral palsy found spastic subtypes in 90% of the patients studied. The impact of severe spasticity on a patient’s life is far-reaching, affecting everything from activities of daily living to mental health and even income. On the other hand, spasticity can be helpful in patients with weak limbs, especially in the lower extremities, by enabling the patient to transfer or ambulate with less assistance. For these reasons, the assessment of spasticity is important so that practitioners can determine if their treatment therapies are effective.