ABSTRACT
This chapter summarises the state-of-the-art approaches to the measurement of spasticity, both directly or indirectly. Spasticity is a clinical condition that is expected to develop following a lesion in the descending tracts of the central nervous system (CNS), at any level. Treatment of spasticity is often driven by goals aimed at improving function or preventing significant secondary complication such as pain, pressure sores, limb deformities, and so on. Spasticity is derived from the Greek root word spastikos, which means drawing or tugging. Having accepted that the term spasticity is likely to remain in common use, one then needs to consider a framework that will help with articulating a clinically meaningful definition of this term for routine clinical and research use. The abnormal movement patterns and co-contractions that are commonly seen after an upper motoneuron lesion are classified under the term spasticity.
