Motor function testing of UL / LL Tone Flashcards
What is the purpose of the technique i.e. what are you measuring and why?
Assessing tone - the muscle’s resistance to passive movement at rest & its state of readiness to provide tone when at rest to provide a background level of tone
How do you know whether the measurement is normal?
Abnormal tone =
Low/facidity - damage to upper or lower motor neurons, flaccid muscles
High - spasticity (damage to upper motor neurons, tense muscles, resistance increases with speed of passive movements) & rigidity (associated with parkinsons, tense muscles, resistance is the same no matter speed of passive movement)
What principles are used in carrying out (application) the technique?
1) Patient comfortable, explain procedure, informed consent
2) observe tone: alignment, limp, tight, flaccid??
3) palpate muscles: flaccid or tense?
4) slow passive movement: resistance, heavy, spasm?
5) fast passive movement: same level of resistance?
Do on both sides to compare
Ensure patient muscles are relaxed
What structures/processes are being assessed?
Compliance/stiffness of soft tissue
Muscle length
Muscle viscosity
Activation of contractile processes
Nervous control - alpha motor neuron
Precautions / contraindications
Injuries?
Pain?
Skin conditions?
How would this be documented?
Date, Time, Patient name
Explanation of procedure & gaining informed consent
Muscle being observed
Initial observation of tone
How it feels during palpation
Feeling during slow passive movement - Resistance, heavy, spasm?
Feeling during passive - is the resistance the same?
How does it feel in comparison to other limb?
Adverse effects?
Sign
