Abstract

The Role of Spasticity in Functional Neurorehabilitation- Part I: The Pathophysiology of Spasticity, the Relationship with the Neuroplasticity, Spinal Shock and Clinical Signs

The symptom/clinical sign of spasticity is extremely important in functional neurorehabilitation, since it reduces the functional independence both in the quadruped animal as in the human biped.

This clinical sign/symptom manifests itself alonside with pain, muscle weakness, impaired coordination and poor motor planning, leading to a spastic movement disorder.

To perform a correct FNR protocol an understanding of its pathophysiology is required. In addition FNR often stimulates the property of the central nervous system, which is neuroplasticity, which may potentiate the spastic movement disorder.

In this regard, especially in the human biped, we must take into account the appearance of spinal shock and its development into spastic movement disorder, and therefore, a tight and constant monitoring of clinical signs is essential in order to choose the adequate methods and modalities of FNR.

Author(s):

Angela Martins

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this