Normative NeuroFlexor data for detection of spasticity after stroke: A cross-sectional study

Background and objective: the neuroflexor is a novel instrument for quantification of neural,viscous and elastic components of passive movement resistance. the aim of this study was to provide normative data and cut-off values from healthy subjects and to use these to explore signs of spasticity at the wrist and fingers in patients recovering from stroke. methods: 107 healthy subjects (age range 28-68 years; 51 % females) and 39 stroke patients (age range 33-69 years; 33 % females),2-4 weeks after stroke,were assessed with the neuroflexor. cut-off values based on mean + 3sd of the reference data were calculated. in patients,the modified ashworth scale (mas) was also applied. results: in healthy subjects,neural component was 0.8 ± 0.9 n (mean ± sd),elastic component was 2.7 ± 1.1 n,viscous component was 0.3 ± 0.3 n and resting tension was 5.9 ± 1 n. age only correlated with elastic component (r = -0.3,p = 0.01). elasticity and resting tension were higher in males compared to females (p = 0.001) and both correlated positively with height (p = 0.01). values above healthy population cut-off were observed in 16 patients (41 %) for neural component,in 2 (5 %) for elastic component and in 23 (59 %) for viscous component. neural component above cut-off did not correspond well to mas ratings. ten patients with mas = 0 had neural component values above cut-off and five patients with mas ≥ 1 had neural component within normal range. conclusion: this study provides neuroflexor cut-off values that are useful for detection of spasticity in the early phase after stroke. © 2016 pennati et al.