Spasticity ­ a reliable method of measurement

This research was completed on 31 March 2005

Project Leader	Professor Garth R Johnson, FREng, PhD, CEng, FIMechE, Dr C I M Price, MB, MRCP, CMEd and Professor Michael P Barnes, MD, FRCP
Location	Centre for Rehabilitation and Engineering Studies (CREST), University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Grant awarded	26 October 2000
Start date	1 April 2001
End date	31 March 2005
Grant amount	£85,701.00
Grant code	AP0865

Thousands of people who have suffered from a neurological injury, such as stroke or a head injury, are left with a degree of spasticity which leads to deformity and difficulty in movement. Despite the frequent occurrence of these problems and the advent of new treatments however, there are no reliable methods to measure spasticity at present. This project follows on from a previous Action Research grant and will continue a research programme to develop a biomechanical method to measure reflex responses, in order to identify key features of spasticity. The aim is to provide a tool by which doctors in the clinic can make a more accurate diagnosis in cases of spasticity which will help them to provide better therapy.