Intraobserver Reliability of Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale in the Assessment of Spasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the intraobserver reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) in the assessment of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Elbow flexor muscles, wrist flexor muscles, hip adductors, hamstrings, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of 37 children (mean age: 8.97+/-4.41) with spastic CP were evaluated using the MAS and MTS according to the severity of spasticity. Results: Intraobserver reliability of MAS was significant for all assessments (p<0.01) and reliability ranged from 'low' to 'average'. The reliability of MTS was significant for all assessments (p<0.01) and intraobserver reliability ranged among 'average', 'good' and 'excellent'. Conclusion: Although the high intraobserver reliability for MTS to assess spasticity level in muscles of children with CP will improve usage of this scale, new research testing the intraobserver reliability of this scale is needed.