Association between the Tones of the Ankle Plantar Flexors and Duration of Illness in Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify the association between the muscle tone of the ankle plantar flexors and duration of illness in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD).[Subjects] Seventy-four patients with CVD were the subjects of this study.[Methods] The tone of the ankle plantar flexors on the paretic side was measured in terms of the stretch reflex (SR), middle range resistance (MR), and final range resistance (FR) of the ankle plantar flexors tone scale (APTS). All APTS parameters were measured in 2 limb positions with the knee extended and flexed. The subjects were classified according to the duration of illness after onset into short-(<180 days) and long-term (≥180 days) groups. The associations between the duration of illness and SR, MR, and FR were analyzed. [Results] In the short-term group, SR was weakly correlated with the duration of illness in both the knee extended and flexed positions. However, in the long-term group, there was no association between the SR and duration of illness in either position.[Conclusion] The results of this study suggested an increase in the stretch reflex of the gastrocnemius muscle in the patients with a duration of illness <180 days.

Effect of high-intensity pulse irradiation with linear polarized near-infrared rays on muscle tone in patients with cerebrovascular disease: a randomized controlled trial

“…In disorders of upper motor neurons, including CVD, the stretch reflex is enhanced due to impairment of the descending inhibitory system associated with central nervous system abnormality. Spasticity occurs due to an exaggerated stretch reflex resulting from upper motor neuron lesions and is considered velocity-dependent muscle hypertonia 27 , 28 , 29 ) . When spasticity persists for a prolonged time without appropriate treatment, the frequency of muscle stretch decreases, and this leads to reduction of muscle fiber and fascial flexibility, which are non-neural components of muscle tone.…”