This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Nuyens, G. Articles by Carton, H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Nuyens, G. Articles by Carton, H. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Inter-rater reliability of the Ashworth scale in multiple sclerosis

Section of Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Education, University of Leuven, National Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, Melsbroek,

W. De Weerdt

Section of Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Education, University of Leuven

P. Ketelaer

National Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, Melsbroek

H. Feys

Section of Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Education, University of Leuven

L. De Wolf

Department of Electronic Engineering, Institute of Industrial Engineering, Groep T, Leuven

L. Hantson

Section of Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Education, University of Leuven

A. Nieuwboer

Section of Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Education, University of Leuven

A. Spaepen

Section of Ergonomy, Institute of Physical Education, University of Leuven

H. Carton

National Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, Melsbroek, Department of Neurology, Gasthuisberg Hospital, University of Leuven

A study of 30 patients with multiple sclerosis was undertaken to determine the inter-rater reliabilty of the Ashworth scale for the clinical assessment of spasticity in the lower limbs. Scores of two physiotherapists were compared. Kendall's tau correlation coefficients higher than 0.60 were found for M soleus, M gastrocnemius and for the M psoas. For the adductors and the internal rotators of the hip, the interrater reliability according to Kendall's tau was lower than 0.55. For the M quadriceps and the flexors of the knee, Kendall's tau correlations were higher on the left side than on the right side. No explanation could be found for this inconsistent finding. It was concluded that the Ashworth scale may be used as a reliable scale for some muscles but not for others. More research is needed to find out if differences in ratings could be explained by fluctuations or differences in the clinical assessment of the muscle tone.

Clinical Rehabilitation, Vol. 8, No. 4, 286-292 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/026921559400800403


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. Nilsagard, C. Lundholm, E. Denison, and L-G. Gunnarsson Predicting accidental falls in people with multiple sclerosis -- a longitudinal study Clinical Rehabilitation, March 1, 2009; 23(3): 259 - 269. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Miller, P. Mattison, L. Paul, and L. Wood The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on spasticity in multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, May 1, 2007; 13(4): 527 - 533. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Mehrholz, K. Wagner, D. Meissner, K. Grundmann, C. Zange, R. Koch, and M. Pohl Reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale in adult patients with severe brain injury: a comparison study Clinical Rehabilitation, July 1, 2005; 19(7): 751 - 759. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Mehrholz, Y. Major, D. Meissner, S. Sandi-Gahun, R. Koch, and M. Pohl The influence of contractures and variation in measurement stretching velocity on the reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale in patients with severe brain injury Clinical Rehabilitation, January 1, 2005; 19(1): 63 - 72. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. D Pandyan, C. I. Price, M. P Barnes, and G. R Johnson A biomechanical investigation into the validity of the modified Ashworth Scale as a measure of elbow spasticity Clinical Rehabilitation, March 1, 2003; 17(3): 290 - 294. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Blackburn, P. van Vliet, and S. P Mockett Reliability of Measurements Obtained With the Modified Ashworth Scale in the Lower Extremities of People With Stroke Physical Therapy, January 1, 2002; 82(1): 25 - 34. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A D Pandyan, G R Johnson, C I M Price, R H Curless, M P Barnes, and H Rodgers A review of the properties and limitations of the Ashworth and modified Ashworth Scales as measures of spasticity Clinical Rehabilitation, May 1, 1999; 13(5): 373 - 383. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Nuyens, W. De Weerdt, A. Spaepen, P. Ketelaer, H. Feys, L. De Wolf, L. Hantson, and A. Nieuwboer Fluctuations of spasticity in the lower limbs in patients with multiple sclerosis Clinical Rehabilitation, February 1, 1996; 10(1): 75 - 80. [Abstract] [PDF]