Abstract Not Provided. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The aim of the thesis was to assess a construct validity of "Muscle Excitability Scale" in assessment of spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury. The correlation between this scale and other clinical tests evaluating various aspects of spasticity was investigated. 48 participants with symptoms of a spasticity were included in the study. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used for quantification of correlation between each two tests. The most significant correlation was found between the Muscle Excitability Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale (rs=0,26 - 0,35, p<0,05). Less significant correlation was found in comparison with the Clonus Scale (rs=0,27, p<0,05) and with the SCI-SET (rs=0,25 - 0,26, p<0,05). There was no correlation between the Muscle Excitability Scale and the Penn Spasm Frequency Scale. Additionally every test was compared to each other and then the outcomes was discussed and compared to results of other similar studies. Keywords Muscle Excitability Scale, validity, spasticity, spinal cord injury, Modified Ashworth Scale, Penn Spasm Frequency Scale, Clonus Scale, SCI-SET

The aim of this paper was to define interrater reliability of "Muscle excitability scale" in assessment of lower extremities muscle spasticity in patiens with spinal cord injury. Raters were two students of 2nd grade of master study of physiotherapy. Testing was performed at Centrum Paraple o.p.s. and 48 patients took part in the research. Except the Muscle excitability scale, Modified Ashworth scale, Penn spasm frequency scale and Clonus scale were also assessed. Percentage rate of agreement and also value of kappa coefficient that state value of agreement between raters were assigned for each scale. Percent agreement for Muscle excitability scale was 54,2 % for right and 64,6 % for left lower extremity. Kappa coefficient and therefore interrater reliability of this test was assessed on 0,38 on the right side and 0,51 on the left. The results and thein comparison with other used scales are discussed in this thesis.

The subject of this thesis is spasticity in individuals with spinal lesions. The aim is to evaluate and compare a short-term effect of selected physio-therapeutic methods on spasticity of lower limbs in spinal patients. Two methods of comparison were chosen - passive stretching and the Vojta's reflex therapy. The work consists of two parts. The theoretical part describes the problems of spinal lesions, central motoneuron syndrome and spasticity, including its pathophysiology and investigation and therapeutic approaches. The practical part contains an attempt to verify and subsequently compare the immediate antispastic effect of the chosen methods, which is an important prerequisite for the following active exercises as an inseparable part of a physiotherapeutic exercise unit. Clinical evaluation scales are used to evaluate spasticity, namely Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Muscle Excitability Scale (MES). The results are then compared with other studies and literature. Keywords spinal lesions, quadriplegia, Modified Ashworth Scale, Muscle Excitability Scale, Vojta's method, stretching