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Theme: Cancelled
Clinical practice guidance provides evidence-based and/or consensus-based recommendations for current assessment,
diagnosis, and treatment in specific clinical areas. Using multidisciplinary clinician and patient work groups to synthesize
published research with the aim of providing a transparent and robust summary of the findings for a particular clinical area is
needed for the field of PM&R.
Spasticity is defined as a "velocity-dependent increase in stretch reflex associated with muscle hypertonicity," and often occurs
after disease or injury to the central nervous system (CNS).9 The symptoms of spasticity are muscle stiffness and weakness,
decreased dexterity, and abnormal limb positioning; the longer-term signs and symptoms are pain, contractures, deformities,
and spasms. These can limit joint mobility, limiting function. Further, spasticity can mask underlying weakness. All of these
issues can decrease quality of life by affecting activities of daily living (hygiene, dressing, sleep, ambulation) for the patients
themselves, and also make care of patients difficult. Furthermore, these can also cause social embarrassment and stigmatize
patients, isolating them during an already difficult disease.