Inter-rater reliability of the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale in assessing lower limb muscle spasticity

Brain Inj. 2009 Sep;23(10):815-9. doi: 10.1080/02699050903200548.

Abstract

Primary objective: To assess the inter-rater reliability of the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) in lower limb muscle spasticity.

Research design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Methods and procedures: Twenty-two adults with neurological conditions (17 women, five men, age range 21-82 years; mean +/- SD, 44 +/- 18 years) participated. Hip adductor, knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor were assessed in a random order.

Main outcomes and results: Inter-rater agreement for two raters was very good for the hip adductor and the knee extensor (weighted kappa = 0.82, p < 0.0001) and good for the ankle plantarflexor (weighted kappa = 0.74, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The Modified Modified Ashworth Scale produced reliable measurements between raters in the assessment of lower limb muscle spasticity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Lower Extremity
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Muscle Spasticity / physiopathology*
  • Muscle Spasticity / rehabilitation
  • Observer Variation
  • Recovery of Function / physiology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stroke / complications*
  • Stroke Rehabilitation
  • Young Adult