Measuring spasticity and fine motor control (pinch) change in the hand after botulinum toxin-A injection using dynamic computerized hand dynamometry

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.