ABSTRACT
The use of outcome measures quantitatively informs the assessment process, but should always be used in conjunction with an individualised assessment of all aspects of the person’s life. Individual professional assessment and interventions also have a role and the need for further input from a particular discipline can be identified and planned for within the initial assessment. The assessment process can be thought of as having two main phases: firstly, history, or what person with spasticity (or family and carers) can tell us about their difficulties; and secondly, examination. The examination can be divided into three key stages: observation; assessment of active movement and underlying muscle weakness; and assessment of resistance to passive movement. This assessment is useful for establishing if weakness or spasticity is the main factor that is limiting function or causing symptoms such as heaviness or stiffness. Assessment of an individual’s spasticity can be completed during a single session; however, as spasticity is often variable over time.
