Cerebral palsy (CP), depending on disease severity, can result in diminished quality of life not only from decreased function but from societal stigmatization. Coordinating various care provider appointments, expense of short-term treatments, difficulty navigating transportation, and relying on caregivers can complicate patient and family lives. The costs of CP are substantial on the healthcare system, with one managed Medicaid database averaged across 15 U.S states finding the average annual Medicaid costs for children with CP to be 15 times higher than children without CP and averaged to $22, 383 United States dollar (USD) compared to $1,358 USD respectively (Pulgar et al., 2019). Cost effective treatment and effective prevention strategies are increasingly warranted for the CP population. Due to the varying manifestations associated with CP, a standardized treatment for this condition is challenging. Current treatments may enhance quality of life and temporarily reduce pain or discomfort, but they do not cure CP. While perinatal prevention strategies potentially provide the greatest chance to prevent CP from occurring and should be the focus of health care policy, financial barriers remain especially with strained health care budgets. While cure remains elusive, focus on treatments and prevention strategies to limit disease impact is paramount. In the last decade some attention has turned to the use of stem cell treatments in children and adolescents with CP to provide more impactful outcomes with earlier intervention potentially limiting the devastating musculoskeletal effects seen with severe disease. While primarily results from clinical trials both nationally and internationally suggest stem cell treatment increases gross motor function in children and adolescents, questions remain whether these treatments provide clinically meaningful improvement compared to traditional therapies. The goal of this thesis is to discuss the current pharmaceuticals and non- pharmaceutical treatments with rehabilitative therapies that are historically used to reduce severity of secondary manifestations associated with CP in children. Human stem cell clinical trials for CP will be reviewed to assess efficacy and risks as this treatment is translated into clinical practice for children. In addition to stem cell treatment, public health practices of prevention during prenatal visits will be reviewed as it is an encouraging method to reduce preterm births which are a risk factor for CP development.

The aim of this thesis was to introduce the intrathecal baclofen delivery method and assessment of its efficacy on patients with severe spasticity. It is an invasive spasticity affecting method which uses an abdominally implanted programmable infusion pump connected with a catheter inserted in the spinal canal. The pump delivers baclofen to the cerebrospinal fluid (baclofen is the central myorelaxans). This method reduces adverse effects of the drug, however it is an invasive method, that can bring various complications. In the practical part, I evaluated one patient with spinal spasticity before and after the treatment initiation. The spasm frequency was decreased by 2 points. The muscular tone measured by the Ashworth scale was decreased by 0,5 point, by 0,7 according to the modified Ashworth scale. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

A espasticidade é uma desordem comum em pessoas que apresentam lesão no neurônio motor superior. O acometimento pode ocorrer em diferentes níveis. A Escala Modificada de Ashworth (EMA) é o instrumento de avaliação mais utilizado para medir os níveis de acometimento, entretanto apresenta subjetividade. Já a mecanomiografia (MMG) trata-se de uma técnica objetiva, que quantifica as vibrações musculares durante os eventos de contração e alongamento e, por isso, pode dimensionar com precisão o nível de espasticidade. Diante disso, objetivou-se investigar a correlação entre os níveis de espasticidade determinados pela EMA com os sinais mecanomiográficos em músculos espásticos e não espásticos. Avaliaram-se 34 membros de 22 voluntários, de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 39,91±13,77 anos. O protocolo experimental consistiu na realização de avaliação pela EMA dos grupos musculares flexores e extensores de joelho e/ou cotovelo, onde um grupo era o agonista e o outro antagonista. Simultaneamente, captavam-se os sinais de MMG. Utilizou-se um equipamento de MMG customizado para registrar e gravar os sinais, configurados em um programa da plataforma LabView®. No programa computacional MatLab®, processaram-se os sinais da MMG no domínio temporal (mediana da energia) e espectral (mediana da frequência) dos eixos de movimento X (transversal), Y (longitudinal) e Z (perpendicular). Para delimitação da banda passante, empregou-se um filtro Butterworth de 3a ordem atuando na faixa de 5 a 50 Hz. Aplicaram-se testes estatísticos como coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, teste de Kruskall-Wallis e teste de correlação linear. Como resultados, no domínio temporal, o teste de Kruskal- Wallis mostrou diferenças na mediana da energia (MMG ME) entre cada grupo de EMA. O teste de correlação linear mostrou alta correlação entre a EMA e a MMGME, tanto no grupo muscular agonista quanto no antagonista. Assim, no domínio do tempo, a maior correlação linear ocorreu entre a EMA e a MMGME do eixo Z do grupo muscular agonista (R2 = 0,9557) e a menor correlação no eixo X, do antagonista (R 2 = 0,8862). O teste de correlação de Spearman também confirmou alta correlação em todos os eixos, nesta análise. O processamento no domínio espectral mostrou que houve aumento na mediana da frequência (MMGMF) nos maiores graus de EMA. Porém, os coeficientes de correlação linear determinados foram moderados e baixos. O maior coeficiente de correlação linear entre a EMA e a MMGMF ocorreu no eixo Z, do grupo muscular agonista (R2 = 0,4883) e o menor valor no eixo Y, do grupo antagonista (R 2 = 0,1657). No teste de Spearman, a maior correlação ocorreu entre o eixo Y do grupo agonista (0,6951; p < 0,001) e o menor valor no eixo X do grupo antagonista (0,3592; p < 0,001). Por meio dos dados obtidos, concluiu-se que entre a MMGME e a EMA houve correlação significativamente elevada em ambos os grupos musculares. Entre a MMGMF e a EMA também houve correlação significativa, porém moderada no grupo agonista, e fraca no grupo antagonista. Desta forma, dentre os descritores estudados, a MMGME mostrou ser a mais adequada para correlacionar-se com o grau de espasticidade definido pela EMA. / Spasticity is a common disorder in people who have upper motor neuron injury. The involvement may occur at different levels. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is the most used method to measure involvement levels. But it corresponds to a subjective evaluation. Mechanomyography (MMG) is an objective technique that quantifies the muscle vibration during the contraction and stretching events. So, it may assess the level of spasticity accurately. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between spasticity levels determined by MAS with MMG signal in spastic and not spastic muscles. In the experimental protocol, we evaluated 34 members of 22 volunteers, of both genders, with a mean age of 39.91 ± 13.77 years. We evaluated the levels of spasticity by MAS in flexor and extensor muscle groups of the knee and/or elbow, where one muscle group was the agonist and one antagonist. Simultaneously the assessment by the MAS, caught up the MMG signals. We used a custom MMG equipment to register and record the signals, configured in LabView platform. Using the MatLab computer program, it was processed the MMG signals in the time domain (median energy) and spectral domain (median frequency) for the three motion axes: X (transversal), Y (longitudinal) and Z (perpendicular). For bandwidth delimitation, we used a 3rd order Butterworth filter, acting in the range of 5-50 Hz. Statistical tests as Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis test and linear correlation test were applied. As results in the time domain, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed differences in median energy (MMGME) between MAS groups. The linear correlation test showed high linear correlation between MAS and MMGME for the agonist muscle as well as for the antagonist group. The largest linear correlation occurred between the MAS and MMG ME for the Z axis of the agonist muscle group (R2 = 0.9557) and the lowest correlation occurred in the X axis, for the antagonist muscle group (R2 = 0.8862). The Spearman correlation test also confirmed high correlation for all axes in the time domain analysis. In the spectral domain, the analysis showed an increase in the median frequency (MMGMF) in MAS’ greater levels. The highest correlation coefficient between MAS and MMGMF signal occurred in the Z axis for the agonist muscle group (R2 = 0.4883), and the lowest value occurred on the Y axis for the antagonist group (R2 = 0.1657). By means of the Spearman correlation test, the highest correlation occurred between the Y axis of the agonist group (0.6951; p <0.001) and the lowest value on the X axis of the antagonist group (0.3592; p <0.001). We conclude that there was a significantly high correlation between the MMGME and MAS in both muscle groups. Also between MMG and MAS occurred a significant correlation, however moderate for the agonist group, and low for the antagonist group. So, the MMGME proved to be more an appropriate descriptor to correlate with the degree of spasticity defined by the MAS.

A espasticidade é uma desordem comum em pessoas que apresentam lesão no neurônio motor superior. O acometimento pode ocorrer em diferentes níveis. A Escala Modificada de Ashworth (EMA) é o instrumento de avaliação mais utilizado para medir os níveis de acometimento, entretanto apresenta subjetividade. Já a mecanomiografia (MMG) trata-se de uma técnica objetiva, que quantifica as vibrações musculares durante os eventos de contração e alongamento e, por isso, pode dimensionar com precisão o nível de espasticidade. Diante disso, objetivou-se investigar a correlação entre os níveis de espasticidade determinados pela EMA com os sinais mecanomiográficos em músculos espásticos e não espásticos. Avaliaram-se 34 membros de 22 voluntários, de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 39,91±13,77 anos. O protocolo experimental consistiu na realização de avaliação pela EMA dos grupos musculares flexores e extensores de joelho e/ou cotovelo, onde um grupo era o agonista e o outro antagonista. Simultaneamente, captavam-se os sinais de MMG. Utilizou-se um equipamento de MMG customizado para registrar e gravar os sinais, configurados em um programa da plataforma LabView®. No programa computacional MatLab®, processaram-se os sinais da MMG no domínio temporal (mediana da energia) e espectral (mediana da frequência) dos eixos de movimento X (transversal), Y (longitudinal) e Z (perpendicular). Para delimitação da banda passante, empregou-se um filtro Butterworth de 3a ordem atuando na faixa de 5 a 50 Hz. Aplicaram-se testes estatísticos como coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, teste de Kruskall-Wallis e teste de correlação linear. Como resultados, no domínio temporal, o teste de Kruskal- Wallis mostrou diferenças na mediana da energia (MMG ME) entre cada grupo de EMA. O teste de correlação linear mostrou alta correlação entre a EMA e a MMGME, tanto no grupo muscular agonista quanto no antagonista. Assim, no domínio do tempo, a maior correlação linear ocorreu entre a EMA e a MMGME do eixo Z do grupo muscular agonista (R2 = 0,9557) e a menor correlação no eixo X, do antagonista (R 2 = 0,8862). O teste de correlação de Spearman também confirmou alta correlação em todos os eixos, nesta análise. O processamento no domínio espectral mostrou que houve aumento na mediana da frequência (MMGMF) nos maiores graus de EMA. Porém, os coeficientes de correlação linear determinados foram moderados e baixos. O maior coeficiente de correlação linear entre a EMA e a MMGMF ocorreu no eixo Z, do grupo muscular agonista (R2 = 0,4883) e o menor valor no eixo Y, do grupo antagonista (R 2 = 0,1657). No teste de Spearman, a maior correlação ocorreu entre o eixo Y do grupo agonista (0,6951; p < 0,001) e o menor valor no eixo X do grupo antagonista (0,3592; p < 0,001). Por meio dos dados obtidos, concluiu-se que entre a MMGME e a EMA houve correlação significativamente elevada em ambos os grupos musculares. Entre a MMGMF e a EMA também houve correlação significativa, porém moderada no grupo agonista, e fraca no grupo antagonista. Desta forma, dentre os descritores estudados, a MMGME mostrou ser a mais adequada para correlacionar-se com o grau de espasticidade definido pela EMA. / Spasticity is a common disorder in people who have upper motor neuron injury. The involvement may occur at different levels. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is the most used method to measure involvement levels. But it corresponds to a subjective evaluation. Mechanomyography (MMG) is an objective technique that quantifies the muscle vibration during the contraction and stretching events. So, it may assess the level of spasticity accurately. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between spasticity levels determined by MAS with MMG signal in spastic and not spastic muscles. In the experimental protocol, we evaluated 34 members of 22 volunteers, of both genders, with a mean age of 39.91 ± 13.77 years. We evaluated the levels of spasticity by MAS in flexor and extensor muscle groups of the knee and/or elbow, where one muscle group was the agonist and one antagonist. Simultaneously the assessment by the MAS, caught up the MMG signals. We used a custom MMG equipment to register and record the signals, configured in LabView platform. Using the MatLab computer program, it was processed the MMG signals in the time domain (median energy) and spectral domain (median frequency) for the three motion axes: X (transversal), Y (longitudinal) and Z (perpendicular). For bandwidth delimitation, we used a 3rd order Butterworth filter, acting in the range of 5-50 Hz. Statistical tests as Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis test and linear correlation test were applied. As results in the time domain, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed differences in median energy (MMGME) between MAS groups. The linear correlation test showed high linear correlation between MAS and MMGME for the agonist muscle as well as for the antagonist group. The largest linear correlation occurred between the MAS and MMG ME for the Z axis of the agonist muscle group (R2 = 0.9557) and the lowest correlation occurred in the X axis, for the antagonist muscle group (R2 = 0.8862). The Spearman correlation test also confirmed high correlation for all axes in the time domain analysis. In the spectral domain, the analysis showed an increase in the median frequency (MMGMF) in MAS’ greater levels. The highest correlation coefficient between MAS and MMGMF signal occurred in the Z axis for the agonist muscle group (R2 = 0.4883), and the lowest value occurred on the Y axis for the antagonist group (R2 = 0.1657). By means of the Spearman correlation test, the highest correlation occurred between the Y axis of the agonist group (0.6951; p <0.001) and the lowest value on the X axis of the antagonist group (0.3592; p <0.001). We conclude that there was a significantly high correlation between the MMGME and MAS in both muscle groups. Also between MMG and MAS occurred a significant correlation, however moderate for the agonist group, and low for the antagonist group. So, the MMGME proved to be more an appropriate descriptor to correlate with the degree of spasticity defined by the MAS.

Chez les personnes post-AVC (Accident Vasculaire Cérébral), spasticité, faiblesse et toute autre coactivation anormale proviennent de limitations dans la régulation de la gamme des seuils des réflexes d'étirement. Nous avons voulu savoir si les déficits dans les influences corticospinales résiduelles contribuaient à la limitation de la gamme des seuils et au développement de la spasticité chez les patients post-AVC. La stimulation magnétique transcranienne (SMT) a été appliquée à un site du cortex moteur où se trouvent les motoneurones agissant sur les fléchisseurs et extenseurs du coude. Des potentiels évoqués moteurs (PEM) ont été enregistrés en position de flexion et d'extension du coude. Afin d'exclure l'influence provenant de l'excitabilité motoneuronale sur l'évaluation des influences corticospinales, les PEM ont été suscités lors de la période silencieuse des signaux électromyographiques (EMG) correspondant à un bref raccourcissement musculaire juste avant l'enclenchement de la SMT. Chez les sujets contrôles, il y avait un patron réciproque d'influences corticospinales (PEM supérieurs en position d'extension dans les extenseurs et vice-versa pour les fléchisseurs). Quant à la plupart des sujets post-AVC ayant un niveau clinique élevé de spasticité, la facilitation corticospinale dans les motoneurones des fléchisseurs et extenseurs était supérieure en position de flexion (patron de co-facilitation). Les résultats démontrent que la spasticité est associée à des changements substantiels des influences corticospinales sur les motoneurones des fléchisseurs et des extenseurs du coude. / In post-stroke patients, spasticity, weakness and abnormal coactivation result from limitations in the range of regulation of stretch reflex thresholds. We investigated whether the deficits in residual corticospinal influences contribute to the limitation in the regulation of those thresholds and as a result to spasticity in post-stroke subjects. A single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied to the site of the motor cortex projecting to motoneurons of elbow flexors and extensors. Responses to TMS (motor evoked potentials or MEPs) were recorded at a flexion and an extension position of the elbow joint. To exclude the influence of background motoneuronal excitability on the evaluation of corticospinal influences, MEPs were elicited during the electromyographic (EMG) silent period produced by brief muscle shortening prior to TMS. In control subjects, corticospinal facilitation of flexor motoneurons was usually larger whereas that of extensor motoneurons was smaller during actively maintained flexion than when the extension position was maintained (reciprocal pattern of position-related changes in flexor and extensor MEPs). In most post-stroke subjects with high clinical spasticity scores, corticospinal facilitation of both flexor and extensor motoneurons was greater at the actively established flexion position (co-facilitation pattern). Results show that spasticity is associated with substantial changes in the corticospinal influences on flexor and extensor motoneurons. Corticospinal co-facilitation of the two groups of motoneurons may be related to the necessity to overcome resistance of spastic muscles during active changes in the elbow joint angle.

Elliptical trainers are prescribed in rehabilitative exercise but difficult to implement in populations with significant functional gait deficits. Typical elliptical machines do not mimic normal gait and therefore require modifications for clinical rehabilitation. This research builds on previous modifications of an elliptical trainer designed to simulate level-surface walking. This design differed from a commercial version. It included articulated footplates and an electromechanically-driven virtual-cam to control footplate position. Ankle dorsiflexion elicited lower-extremity muscle spasticity which produced an unwanted gait variant during stroke patient testing. Spasticity is a hyperexcitable stretch reflex causing inefficient gait. This project’s purpose was to develop an autonomous cam-profile adjustment to optimize the device’s rehabilitation potential. Foot-to-footplate forces were measured in stroke patients and compared to normative data. Greater than normal forces were considered spastic. An embedded controller was designed to reduce footplate forces via real-time cam-profile attenuation. A simulated spastic dorsiflexion load successfully proved the algorithm’s efficacy.

Title: The influence of a passive rehabilitation on spasticity in multiple sclerosis Objectives: The main objective is to summarize the current knowledge about multiple sclerosis and the possibilities of influencing the spasticity as a serious symptom. Another objective is to verify the effectiveness of the antispastic passive rehabilitation of the lower limbs of selected patient in practice. Methods: Verification of the effectiveness of the system of antispastic passive rehabilitation of the lower limbs was through a qualitative research. For the work design is used the type of qualitative experiment. The research sample is a person with spasticity in the lower limbs. In the first two parts of the work was used an analysis of scientific literature and a content analysis. The strategy of data obtaining is also in the form of observation, interviewing, measuring, scale and variety. A medical documentation, anamnesis, casuistry and a secondary analysis were used. Results: Individual use of each method resulted in the influence of spasticity only for a short time. Mobility was affected in the sense of passive movement the most after the soft techniques and massage therapy. The most striking results were achieved after the use of all methods when the spasticity was positively influenced in accordance...

Author's first name and surname: Michaela Opálková Title of the master thesis: Evaluation of selective voluntary muscle control in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Impact on the severity of spasticity and gross motor function level. Department: Department of rehabilitation and sports medicine, Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine Supervisor: doc. PaedDr. Pavel Kolář, PhD. The year of presentation: 2012 Abstract: This thesis should provide comprehensive information about pathophysiological mechanisms underlying spasticity and spastic movement disorder with special attention to children with cerebral palsy. Spasticity and selective voluntary motor control assessment possibilities will be summarized. Classification systems of the gross motor functions (levels of locomotion) are also mentioned. The main objective is to elaborate selective motor control ability scale (IP) which is newly proposed in this study. The need for such instrument and its feasibility for clinical practice intend to be confirmed. The level of locomotion of 25 children with spastic cerebral palsy is compared with IP outputs, spasticity measurement outputs using Ashworth scale respectively. Keywords: spasticity, selective voluntary motor control, locomotion, scale

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-19T18:15:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANA EUGENIA RIBEIRO DE ARAUJO E ARAUJO.pdf: 1138893 bytes, checksum: 86e944da346d6667f00a4a6ed7a7fdec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-08-20 / Cerebral Paralysis (CP) comprehends a series of non progressive syndromes of motor and posture disturbances, resulting from irreversible damage to the developing central nervous system. The hippotherapy is a therapeutical and educational method that uses a horse in an interdisciplinary approach attempting to enhance the posture stability in children affected by Cerebral Paralysis (CP). This work aim is to evaluate the benefits PC diagnosed children can attain after one year participation in an hippotherapy program. 27 spastic diplegia PC diagnosed children were studied (15 boys and 17 girls) ranging from 2 to 12 years of age. As to evaluate the following body parts: head and neck, shoulders and scapulae, trunk, vertebral column and pelvis, before and after hippotherapy treatment, a scale, standardized by the interdisciplinary medical team of the hippotherapy center, was used. The program was conducted once a week, in sessions of 45 minutes each. There were verified posture benefits statistically significant (p<0.05) in all body parts, especially in those presenting the worst asymmetry conditions before the treatment, such as the trunk and pelvis. One can conclude stating that the hippotherapy treatment positively influenced the posture adjustment as well as the children s static and dynamic equilibrium, thus improving their motor abilities and contributing to the walking prediction. / A Paralisia Cerebral (PC) compreende uma série de síndromes não progressivas de distúrbios motores e de postura, resultantes de um dano irreversível no sistema nervoso central em desenvolvimento. A Equoterapia é um método terapêutico e educacional que utiliza o cavalo dentro de uma abordagem interdisciplinar, visando melhorar a estabilidade postural em crianças com Paralisia Cerebral (PC). Objetivou-se avaliar os benefícios posturais em crianças com paralisia cerebral (PC) após a participação num programa de equoterapia durante um ano. Estudou-se vinte e sete crianças (quinze meninos, doze meninas) diagnosticadas com Paralisia Cerebral espástica diplegica, com idade entre 2 a 12 anos. Utilizou-se uma escala padronizada pela equipe interdisciplinar do centro de equoterapia para avaliar a postura dos seguintes segmentos corporais: cabeça e pescoço, ombros e escápula, tronco, coluna vertebral e pélvis, antes e depois da equoterapia. O programa aconteceu uma vez por semana, numa sessão de 45 minutos. Verificou-se benefícios posturais estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05) em todos os segmentos corporais, especialmente naqueles que apresentaram as piores condições de assimetria antes do tratamento, como o tronco e pélvis. Concluiu-se que a equoterapia influenciou positivamente no ajuste postural assim como no equilíbrio estático e dinâmico da criança, aprimorando desta forma, suas habilidades motoras e contribuindo para o prognóstico de marcha.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) manifests signs of spasticity, plantar flexor (PF) hyperreflexia and ankle clonus, and deficits in motor function. In individuals with motor-incomplete SCI (MISCI), ankle clonus may limit independent walking function. Ankle clonus is attributed to enhanced soleus stretch reflex (SSR) excitability due to decreased supraspinal input and maladaptive reorganization of spinal reflex circuitry. We explored these questions: 1. What are the biomechanical, clinical, and neurophysiologic correlates of ankle clonus? 2. Does locomotor training improve ankle clonus and walking function? 3. Will operant conditioning-based interventions that increase tibialis anterior activation or decrease soleus reflex excitability improve ankle motor control and walking function? In Chapter 2 we compared Ankle Clonus Drop Test (Drop Test) measures with clinical and neurophysiologic measures. Drop Test measures were highly reliable and exhibited moderate to strong correlations with clinical and neurophysiologic measures. Analysis of EMG activity during clonus revealed a predominant pattern of antagonist coactivation. In Chapter 3 we investigated the effects of locomotor training on PF and quadriceps spasticity, and walking function. We assessed responsiveness of the PF reflex threshold angle, a Drop Test measure of PF spasticity. PF and quadriceps spasticity decreased after locomotor training and were moderately correlated with increased walking speed. The PF reflex threshold angle measure discriminated between individuals with and without clonus. In Chapter 4 we compared the effects of two operant-conditioning based interventions to, (1) increase TA EMG activation (TA↑) and (2) decrease SOL H-reflex amplitude during active dorsiflexion (SOL↓), on reflex modulation, ankle motor control, and walking function. Each intervention improved walking function; however, modulated the variables in unique ways. TA↑ improved deficits of strength and range of motion, and SOL↓ improved modulation of SSR and SOL/TA coactivation. In Chapter 5 we discussed implications of our conclusions: (1) Drop Test ankle clonus measures are valid, reliable, and responsive; (2) antagonist coactivation was predominant during ankle clonus; (3) in individuals with chronic MISCI, locomotor training decreased PF and quadriceps spasticity and improved walking function; and (4) an operant conditioning-based intervention to either increase TA strength or decrease SOL reflex excitability improved spinal reflex modulation and walking function.