From the Research
The Tardieu Scale is a valuable clinical assessment tool for measuring spasticity in patients with neurological conditions, and its use is supported by the most recent and highest quality study available 1. The Tardieu Scale evaluates muscle response to passive movement at different velocities, distinguishing between spasticity and contracture. The scale measures three components:
- the angle of muscle reaction (R1)
- the full range of motion (R2)
- the quality of muscle reaction (graded 0-5) To perform the assessment, a clinician moves the affected limb at three specific speeds:
- as slow as possible
- at the speed of limb falling under gravity
- as fast as possible The Tardieu Scale is considered more sensitive than the Modified Ashworth Scale because it accounts for the velocity-dependent nature of spasticity 1. This assessment helps clinicians determine appropriate treatments such as
- physical therapy
- botulinum toxin injections
- oral medications like baclofen or tizanidine
- surgical interventions Regular reassessment using the Tardieu Scale allows healthcare providers to monitor treatment effectiveness and adjust interventions accordingly. It is essential to note that while other studies may discuss the use of different medications for pain management, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen 2, 3, 4, 5, these are not directly relevant to the use of the Tardieu Scale for assessing spasticity. Therefore, the Tardieu Scale should be used as a primary assessment tool for measuring spasticity in patients with neurological conditions.