Comparison of Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale on Assessment of Lower Limb Spasticity in Hemiplegic and Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Background and Objectives: Cerebral palsy or CP is a non-progressive deficit of central nervous system. Spasticity is the most common muscle tonus problem. Most common spasticity assessment scales used for lower limbs in CP cases is Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale. The objective of the present study is to assess the better applicability of assessment of spasticity in lower limb muscles of hemiplegic and diplegic CP using Ashworth Scale (Modified) and Tardieu Scale (Modified).

Method: This study included 30 participants with 19 males and 11 females. The patients were assessed on Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale for lower limb muscles including Quadriceps, Hamstrings and Gastrocnemius. Observations assessed during the study were analyzed to find out the conclusion of the study and at the end results are compared.

Results: The current study showed statistical significance for Right Hamstrings (p ≤ 0.05) in both Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale. On contrary, right side Quadriceps and Gastrocnemius and left sided all group of muscles including Quadriceps, Hamstrings and Gastrocnemius (p ≥ 0.05) showed no statistical significance.

Discussion and Conclusion: No statistical significance was found in both Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale for Quadriceps, Hamstrings and gastrocnemius. But right-side hamstring showed significant difference between both the scales. So, either of the scales can be used to assess the spasticity in CP cases.