Mechanomyography-Based Metric Scale for Spasticity: A Pilot Descriptive Observational Study

(1) Background: The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is commonly used clinically to evaluate spasticity, but its qualitative nature introduces subjectivity. We propose a novel metric scale to quantitatively measure spasticity using mechanomyography (MMG) to mitigate these subjective effects. (2) Method...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2024-08, Vol.24 (16), p.5276
Main Authors: Dos Santos, Elgison L, Scheeren, Eduardo M, Nogueira-Neto, Guilherme N, Krueger, Eddy, Peixoto, Nathalia, Nohama, Percy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Algorithms
Biomechanics
Cerebral palsy
Design
Elbow Joint - physiopathology
Female
Humans
Knee Joint - physiopathology
Male
Mathematical models
mechanomyography
Middle Aged
Modified Ashworth Scale
Muscle Spasticity - diagnosis
Muscle Spasticity - physiopathology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology
Myography - methods
objective assessment
Observational studies
Pilot Projects
Sensors
Signal processing
Software
Spasticity
spasticity evaluation
stretch reflex
Stroke
Volunteers
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Summary:(1) Background: The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is commonly used clinically to evaluate spasticity, but its qualitative nature introduces subjectivity. We propose a novel metric scale to quantitatively measure spasticity using mechanomyography (MMG) to mitigate these subjective effects. (2) Methods: The flexor and extensor muscles of knee and elbow joints were assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) during the acquisition of mechanomyography (MMG) data. The median absolute amplitude of the MMG signals was utilized as a key descriptor. An algorithm was developed to normalize the MMG signals to a universal gravitational (G) acceleration scale, aligning them with the limits and range of MAS. (3) Results: We evaluated 34 lower and upper limbs from 22 volunteers (average age 39.91 ± 13.77 years) of both genders. Polynomial regression provided the best fit (R = 0.987), with negligible differences (mean of 0.001 G) between the MAS and MMG. We established three numerical sets for the median, minimum, and maximum MMG(G) values corresponding to each MAS range, ensuring consistent alignment of the Modified Ashworth levels with our proposed scale. (4) Conclusions: Muscle spasticity can now be quantitatively and semi-automatically evaluated using our algorithm and instrumentation, enhancing the objectivity and reliability of spasticity assessments.
ISSN:1424-8220
1424-8220
DOI:10.3390/s24165276