Measuring Spasticity

Measuring Spasticity

Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group

PETE: So, are we sorta kinda ready?

DEB: Yeah, ready or not...here I come

PETE: We’re never gonna outgrow this, are we?

DEB: No

PETE: It’s just gonna be like this forever...OK...so, hey, Deb Battistella, how you doin’?

DEB: Pete Levine, I’m great, how are you?

PETE: Oh, by the way, American College of Rehabilitation Medicine...I’m doing a talk for them in September. So, if you’re a member of ACRM or you’re planning to go, you should go to my talk! Thanks! That was a public service announcement from one of the co-hosts who was self-promoting his own stupid talk even though he doesn’t make any money off it. So, don’t worry about that, just come to his talk. Thank you very much.

EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Stroke and TBI Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb talk about measuring spasticity. We start with a rabbit hole of sorts where we discuss the problem of home care OT’s not addressing client and caregiver needs when cognition is involved and overall therapist abuse by rehab companies. Here’s more detail about our conversation:

• We talked about a problematic, current, real-life scenario where OT discharged a patient who would still benefit from skilled OT
• Pete mentioned professional association advocacy that doesn’t seem to be working
• We learned there is a time of day when spasticity isn’t present
• Pete mentioned reasons why it’s important to use spasticity measurement scales rather than observation
• Deb sought further clarification on spasticity, ROM and contractures - and yes, I’ve been an OT for over 20 years
• We talked about spasticity measurement scales and how to perform them

As always, we want to hear your top takeaways!

LINKS TO ARTICLES, BOOKS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Spasticity declines during sleep, most of the time.
• Testing Spasticity: The Modified Ashworth
• Inter- and intra-rater reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale: a systematic review and meta-analysis
• Shirley Ryan Ability Lab – Ashworth Scale/Modified Ashworth Scale
• Assessment and Treatment of Spasticity
• Frenchay Activities Index-Shirley Ryan Ability Lab

Questions and Comments about the podcast?

• NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com
• NogginsAndNeurons: The Website

Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast: Venmo @neurons

Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.

• • Blog
  • Book:Stronger After Stroke, 3rd edition
  • Pete's talk for the American College of Rehabilitation Medicine.

     

     

  • Deb's OT Resources:

    • Deb's OT resources
    • The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
    • Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
    • Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults

    REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit!   Guest Request Form

Music by scottholmesmusic.com