ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate change in fine motor hand performance and to investigate the relationship between existing clinical measures and dynamic computerized dynamometry (DCD) after botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injections for adults with upper limb spasticity. DESIGN: Pretest/posttest clinical intervention study. SETTING: Hospital outpatient spasticity clinics. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of adults (N=28; mean age, 51y) with upper limb spasticity after acquired brain injury. INTERVENTIONS: BTX-A injections for upper limb spasticity management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: DCD protocol using a piezoelectric pinch meter (termed DCD[pinch]); current clinical upper limb measures: Modified Ashworth Scale, Tardieu Scale, Action Research Arm Test, Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, and Goal Attainment Scale. RESULTS: BTX-A produced a significant change on DCD(pinch) and some current clinical measures, with correlations observed between DCD(pinch) and current clinical measures. CONCLUSIONS: DCD(pinch) sensitively and objectively assessed the effects of BTX-A on upper limb spasticity during a simulated functionally based pinch and release task.
