Abstract
This study investigated the spasticity 0–10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) as a potential
patient-related outcome measure in a population of children with cerebral palsy. Each
child and caretaker rated the child's perceived gastrocnemius–soleus muscle spasticity
on the 0–10 NRS, where 0 is no spasticity and 10 is the worst possible spasticity.
Results suggest that children relate spasticity to end range of motion and caretakers
relate spasticity to generalized hypertonia, while clinicians emphasize a velocity-dependent
component of spasticity. Therefore, the 0–10 NRS may be useful in evaluating certain
properties of spasticity but may be inaccurate as a specific spasticity measure.
Keywords
hypertonia - patient-related outcome - pediatric