Ashworth Scales are the most widely used tests to assess the severity of muscle spasticity. These scales offer qualitative and subjective information; consequently, there are issues concerning validity and reliability. This article presents the results of a study comparing interrater reliability of the original and of the modified Ashworth Scales for measuring muscle spasticity in elbow flexors. Fifteen patients with hemiplegia (nine men and six women) with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range, 28-64) participated in this study. Two physiotherapists rated the muscle tone of elbow flexors according to ratings criteria of the Ashworth and the modified Ashworth Scales. Kappa values for the original Ashworth and the modified Ashworth Scales were 0.17 (SE 0.21; p = 0.41) and 0.21 (SE = 0.12; p = 0.08), respectively. The scales showed similar levels of reliability (chi2= 0.0285, df=1, p = 0.7). The Ashworth Scales are not reliable for the assessment of muscle spasticity. In the absence of interrater reliability, the validity of the measurements may also be questioned.

The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is a clinical scale used to assess muscle spasticity. While the evidence indicates that the reliability of the MAS is better in the upper limb and in certain distal muscle groups, no investigation has compared the effect of limbs and muscle groups on the MAS reliability. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of limb and muscle group on the reliability of the MAS in patients with spastic hemiplegia. Thirty subjects with upper and lower limb muscle spasticity were recruited for this trial. Two female experienced physiotherapists participated in this examination of reliability, and rated each patient in a randomized order in a single session. For the intrarater reliability, the second rater repeated the test 1 week later. Shoulder adductor, elbow flexor, wrist flexor, hip adductor, knee extensor, and ankle plantar flexor were tested on the hemiplegic side. Results demonstrated moderate inter (κ = 0.514, SE = 0.046, p < 0.001) and intrarater (κ = 0.590, SE = 0.051, p < 0.001) reliability. For the inter and intrarater reliability, the agreement obtained for the upper and lower limb was similar. In the upper limb, the agreement between raters on the distal wrist flexor was significantly higher than the agreement on the proximal shoulder adductor. In the lower limb, there was a similar agreement between raters on the distal ankle plantar flexor and proximal hip adductor. For within rater, the agreement on the proximal and distal muscles of both limbs was not statistically significant. The Modified Ashworth Scale had moderate reliability. The limbs had no effect on the reliability. The agreement on distal wrist flexor in the upper limb was significantly higher between rater than in the proximal shoulder adductor. The agreement obtained with the MAS was not good, which questions the validity of the measurements.

This study describes the itch experienced in CIU, highlighting sensory and affective dimensions. The itch questionnaire was found to be a valuable tool for evaluating pruritus in CIU and its unique features.

The objective of the study was to develop and validate a translated and culturally adapted Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the Persian-speaking population. The MMSE was translated into Persian. Two groups of neurologically intact subjects (n = 100) and subjects with Alzheimer's disease (n = 13) were studied. The difference between groups on the mean total scores of the Persian MMSE was statistically significant (control = 28.62 +/- 2.09; subjects with Alzheimer's disease = 11.77 +/- 5.66; p < .001). The cutoff score of 23 was the best cutoff score for our subjects with a sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 100%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the Persian MMSE score and the level of education (r = .46) and with age (r = -.77). There was no significant correlation between the Persian MMSE and gender. The Persian MMSE was found to be valid for discrimination of cognitive impairment in the Persian-speaking community.

Low-frequency rTMS over the LE motor area can improve clinical measures of muscle spasticity and motor function. More studies are needed to clarify the changes underlying this improvement in spasticity. Implications for Rehabilitation Spasticity is a common disorder and one of the causes of long-term disability after stroke. Physical therapy modalities, oral medications, focal intervention and surgical procedures have been used for spasticity reduction. Beneficial effect of the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for post-stroke upper extremity spasticity reduction and motor function improvement was demonstrated in previous studies. This study shows amelioration of lower extremity spasticity and motor function improvement after five daily sessions of inhibitory rTMS to the unaffected brain hemisphere which lasted for at least 1 week following the intervention.