Integrated Spasticity Assessment and Treatment using Disentangled Joint Resistance

Ronald C. van 't Veld

Research output: ThesisPhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT

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Abstract

Spasticity, i.e. an exaggerated stretch reflex, can severely impair walking ability and functional independence. The substantial burden which spasticity places on both patients and the healthcare system calls for improvement and personalization of spasticity treatment. At present, many spasticity treatments, even those used within standard care, lack evidence of efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, objective and reliable quantification of spasticity is essential to enable a correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Spasticity is observed as increased joint resistance, similar to other symptoms like fibrosis and hypertonia. These various origins of joint hyper-resistance require different treatment plans. Therefore, disentangling joint hyper-resistance, and as such separating spasticity from other symptoms, is important to select the best available treatment plan.

This thesis develops and evaluates an integrated spasticity assessment and treatment in an experimental environment with stationary posture. The parallel-cascade (PC) system identification technique, which disentangles joint resistance in an intrinsic and reflexive contribution, was selected as analysis methodology. First, for spasticity assessment, we focused on the neurophysiological validity of the estimated reflexive joint resistance for clinical application. Second, we pursued a biofeedback-based, non-invasive spasticity treatment as alternative for current clinical treatment, using the estimated reflexive joint resistance for biofeedback.

Our results showed the neurophysiological validity of the PC technique to assess intrinsic and reflexive joint resistance contributions through the agreement with the neurophysiological basis on which the PC algorithms are built. In clinical practice, 1-2 min measurements of time-invariant segments provided sufficient data for the PC technique to disentangle the intrinsic and reflexive contributions. Towards spasticity assessment and treatment, a reliable longitudinal quantification of spasticity and a cost-effective non-invasive spasticity treatment remain an open challenge. In absence of a gold standard, concurrent development and assessment of fundamentally different spasticity assessment methodologies is essential in future studies to eventually obtain a valid, responsive and reliable spasticity diagnosis approach.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Biomechanical Engineering
Supervisors/Advisors
  • van der Kooij, Herman, Supervisor
  • van Asseldonk, Edwin H.F., Co-Supervisor
  • Schouten, Alfred Christiaan, Co-Supervisor
Thesis sponsors
Award date25 May 2022
Place of PublicationEnschede
Publisher
Print ISBNs978-90-365-5391-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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