Time related changes of post-stroke spasticity

• Published in: Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine Vol. 61; p. e204
• Main Authors: Jung, H.Y., Han, E.Y., Pyun, S.B., Yoo, S.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.07.2018
• Subjects: Spasticity; Stroke; Spasticity; Stroke
• ISSN: 1877-0657; 1877-0665
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2018.05.470

Post-stroke spasticity (PSS) is one of functional barrier for stroke survivors. There is a need for early identification and understanding of change of PSS over time. Therefore, we want to establish the change of post-stroke spasticity until 12 months from the onset of stroke. Seven hundred and eighteen stroke patients with emerging spasticity(430 cerebral infarct and 278 cerebral hemorrhagic patients) were enrolled. These patients were followed-up 12 months after the onset of stroke to monitor the development of spasticity via a retrospective review of medical record. Main outcome measures were change of post-stroke spasticity (PPS) measured at the elbow, and wrist in hemiplegic upper limb using the Modified Ashworth Scale at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke. PPS was aggravated from at 1 month after the onset of stroke to at 3, 6 and 12 months measured in hemiplegic elbow (1.16, 1.29, 1.54 and 1.82) and wrist (1.23, 1.30, 1.47 and 1.84) using the Modified Ashworth Scale, respectively. PPS in hemiplegic elbow measured 1 month after stroke was more severe in cerebral hemorrhage than in cerebral infarction (P<0.01), but not significantly at 3, 6 and 12 months in all stroke patients. When the changes of PPS in patients with supra- or infratentorial lesion were followed-up for one year, there was significant increment in only supratentorial lesion at 3, 6, and 12 months after onset (P<0.05). PPS has a tendency to deteriorate over time, especially in hemiplegic upper limb of patients with cerebral hemorrhage and supra-tentorial lesions.