Modelling Spasticity: A way of improving clinical teaching
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a prototype to model spasticity and hypertonia as a tool to improve clinical teaching and research outcomes
IRAS ID
339638
Contact name
Gabriela Gonzalez Chan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth - Research & Innovation
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
4918, Plymouth Ethics Online System
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website spasticity affects approximately 12 million people worldwide. Hypertonia and spasticity are two terms that quite often get use interchangeably in the clinical practice. However, spasticity is a sub-type of hypertonia. Hypertonia can be caused by neuronal (i.e. spasticity) and non-neuronal (i.e. change in muscle properties) problems. These two causes respond to different type of treatments (pharmacological or physical interventions respectively) but they normally co-exist making it difficult to differentiate between them.
In practice, spasticity is normally grade using ordinal scales such as the Ashworth or Tardieu scales. The scales are highly accepted clinically, but some lack the ability to differentiate between neuronal and non-neural components. These methods grade the “feeling” of spasticity and have poor inter-examiner reliability. There are biomechanical measurements to assess spasticity, but they are normally time consuming and required expensive equipment making them not suitable for clinical practice.
Therefore, it is deeply important for clinicians to have the proper training to be able to assess spasticity. The best way to acquire this knowledge and experience is through practical training. Hands-on training using service users is burdensome and logistically challenging. Hence this project proposes the development of a model for a prototype robotic leg which simulates the behaviour of a limb affected by spasticity.
A simulation of spasticity must be based on empirical data to ensure reliability and validity. Therefore, we aim to get the involvement of patients with neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, and stroke with a 1 or more score on the Ashworth Scale. The final product of the project aims to be a mechanical leg that students can use to have a more hands-on practice on the “feeling” of spasticity.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0425
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion