• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.29-33
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Two experienced physical therapists examined twenty six patients (17 male and 9 female) with an age range of 19-83 years (mean=51.9 SD=15.2). They assessed the elbow flexor/extensor muscle spasticity in the affected side. Interand intra-rater reliability of the MAS and the MTS were calculated using kappa statistics. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the angle of muscle reactions (R2-R1). Results: The intra-rater reliability of the MAS (K=0.39-0.55) and MTS (K=0.33-0.55) was fair to moderate. The inter-rater reliability was significantly higheras measured with MTS (K=0.54-0.66) in comparison with MAS (K=0.52). Intra-rater reliability of R2-R1 was moderate to almost perfect (ICC=0.52-0.86), and inter-rater reliability was substantial (ICC=0.74-0.76). Conclusion: The MTS provides higher inter-rater reliability compared with the MAS in hemiplegia patient analysis, but intra-rater reliability of both scales was not significantly different. Thus further research is needed to examine not only reliability, but also validity of these measurement systems.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.187-193
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to confirm the immediate effect of wrist joint mobilization with taping on the range of motion, grip strength, and spasticity. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups: the joint mobilization with taping group (n=15) and a taping group (n=15). For measurement of spasticity and joint range of motion, the modified Tardieu scale, active and passive range of motion of wrist flexion, as well as extension were measured by the Rapael smart glove, and for grip strength measurement, grip dynamometer was performed. Results: The experimental group showed a significant improvement in the range of motion, grip strength, and spasticity after 10 minutes of taping (p<0.05), no significant difference was found in the control group (p>0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study found that wrist joint mobilization with taping has an immediate effect on wrist range of motion, grip strength, and spasticity in stroke patients, whereas it was not effective in the control group with just taping. The long-term change still needs to be evaluated, when taking into consideration of the carryover effect.