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Reliability of Modified Modified Ashworth Scale in Spastic Cerebral Palsy


Affiliations
1 Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India
2 Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
     

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Background & Objectives: In assessment of spasticity in the pediatric population, methods used in practice are ordinal scales that lack reliability. Being a recent scale, Modified Modified Ashworth Scale has not been used in pediatric population as yet. This study aimed to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability of MMAS in assessing children with spastic cerebral palsy and also compare results with those of AS and MAS.

Methods & Materials: The study included 40 children with spastic CP with mean age 7.75 yrs .Functional levels of children were classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Spasticity in wrist, elbow and knee flexors was assessed according to the AS, MAS, and MMAS.

Results: Interrater reliability and intrarater reliability of MMAS varied from moderate to good.

Conclusions & Interpretations: The MMAS is a reliable tool in assessing children with spastic CP and so are AS and MAS.


Keywords

Spasticity, Cerebral Palsy, Ashworth Scale
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  • Reliability of Modified Modified Ashworth Scale in Spastic Cerebral Palsy

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Authors

Divya Gupta
Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India
Pooja Sharma
Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract


Background & Objectives: In assessment of spasticity in the pediatric population, methods used in practice are ordinal scales that lack reliability. Being a recent scale, Modified Modified Ashworth Scale has not been used in pediatric population as yet. This study aimed to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability of MMAS in assessing children with spastic cerebral palsy and also compare results with those of AS and MAS.

Methods & Materials: The study included 40 children with spastic CP with mean age 7.75 yrs .Functional levels of children were classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Spasticity in wrist, elbow and knee flexors was assessed according to the AS, MAS, and MMAS.

Results: Interrater reliability and intrarater reliability of MMAS varied from moderate to good.

Conclusions & Interpretations: The MMAS is a reliable tool in assessing children with spastic CP and so are AS and MAS.


Keywords


Spasticity, Cerebral Palsy, Ashworth Scale

References