Validation of the 0–10 Numeric Rating Scale Measure of Spasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy

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

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