Comparison of Bilateral Versus Unilateral 5 Hz or 1 Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Subacute Stroke: Assessment of Motor Function in a Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can enhance brain plasticity after stroke. At low frequencies, rTMS has an inhibitory effect, whereas at high frequencies, it has an excitatory effect. Combining both frequencies in bilateral stimulation is a new rTMS protocol under investigation, especially in the subacute stage. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with subacute stroke were divided into four groups according to the rTMS protocol delivered: bilateral, inhibitory, excitatory, and control groups. All groups received concomitant task-oriented physiotherapy. Pretreatment to posttreatment assessment was performed twice, immediately after sessions and 1 month later. Volitional motor control was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer and Wolf motor function tests, and for spasticity, the Ashworth scale was used. RESULTS: All groups showed significant improvement. Bilateral, inhibitory, and excitatory groups showed same efficacy, but the bilateral protocol was superior in spasticity. No correlations were found between improvement and stroke duration and site except for spasticity. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral rTMS shows a comparable effect to inhibitory and excitatory rTMS in improving motor disability in subacute stroke. However, it is superior for spasticity.

Neuro-orthopaedic assessment and management in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A review.

BACKGROUND: Following a severe acquired brain injury, neuro-orthopaedic disorders are commonplace. While these disorders can impact patients' functional recovery and quality of life, little is known regarding the assessment, management and treatment of neuro-orthopaedic disorders in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). OBJECTIVE: To describe neuro-orthopaedic disorders in the context of DoC and provide insights on their management and treatment. METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted focusing on neuro-orthopaedic disorders in patients with prolonged DoC. RESULTS: Few studies have investigated the prevalence of spastic paresis in patients with prolonged DoC, which is extremely high, as well as its correlation with pain. Pilot studies exploring the effects of pharmacological treatments and physical therapy show encouraging results yet have limited efficacy. Other neuro-orthopaedic disorders, such as heterotopic ossification, are still poorly investigated. CONCLUSION: The literature of neuro-orthopaedic disorders in patients with prolonged DoC remains scarce, mainly focusing on spastic paresis. We recommend treating neuro-orthopaedic disorders in their early phases to prevent complications such as pain and improve patients' recovery. Additionally, this approach could enhance patients' ability to behaviourally demonstrate signs of consciousness, especially in the context of covert awareness.

Spasticity following brain and spinal cord injury: assessment and treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Spasticity is a common sequela of brain and spinal cord injury and contributes to disability, reduces quality of life, and increases economic burden. Spasticity is still incompletely recognized and undertreated. We will provide an overview of recent published data on the definition, assessment, and prediction, therapeutic advances, with a focus on promising new approaches, and telemedicine applications for spasticity. RECENT FINDINGS: Two new definitions of spasticity have been recently proposed, but operational criteria should be developed, and test-retest and inter-rater reliability should be explored. Cannabinoids proved to be effective in spasticity in multiple sclerosis, but evidence in other types of spasticity is lacking. Botulinum neurotoxin injection is the first-line therapy for focal spasticity, and recent literature focused on optimizing its efficacy. Several pharmacological, interventional, and nonpharmacological therapeutic approaches for spasticity have been explored but low-quality evidence impedes solid conclusions on their efficacy. The recent COVID-19 pandemic yielded guidelines/recommendations for the use of telemedicine in spasticity. SUMMARY: Despite the frequency of spasticity, robust diagnostic criteria and reliable assessment scales are required. High-quality studies are needed to support the efficacy of current treatments for spasticity. Future studies should explore telemedicine tools for spasticity assessment and treatment.

Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation for the assessment of wrist spasticity: reliability, validation and correlation with clinical measures.

PURPOSE: To determine feasibility and reliability of using repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) to induce wrist extension movement for the assessment of spasticity in wrist flexors, instead of the passive stretch used in the modified Tardieu scale. METHODS: Spasticity was assessed with the index of movement restriction (iMR), calculated as the difference between the range of maximum wrist passive movement and the rPMS-induced movement, in 12 healthy subjects (HS), 12 acute stroke patients without spasticity (AS) and 12 chronic stroke patients with spasticity (CS). Test-retest reliability and clinical correlation were assessed in CS patients before Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) treatment. RESULTS: In comparison to HS and AS patients, CS patients showed statistically significant reduction of rPMS-induced movement amplitude, velocity, and acceleration. The mean iMR was 2.8 (SD = 2.6) in HS, 13.0 (SD = 11.2) in AS and 59.2 (SD = 23.4) in CS. This score significantly reduced to 41.1 (SD = 19.7) in CS after BoNT-A (p < 0.01). Test-retest reliability was very good, with an intraclass correlation coefficient ranging between 0.85 and 0.99 for the variables analysed. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown good reliability and feasibility of a new method providing quantifiable data for the assessment of spasticity and its response to BoNT-A treatment.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe muscle contraction induced by repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) in paretic muscles of post-stroke patients was used to assess spasticity.The index of movement restriction (iMR), calculated as the difference between the maximum passive range of movement and the rPMS induced movement, improved after botulinum toxin treatment.Measuring spastic reactions to rPMS provides quantifiable and reliable data for follow-up and assessment of therapeutic benefits.

[Spasticity : From assessment to personalized treatment]. / La spasticité : de l'évaluation au traitement personnalisé.

Spasticity is a phenomenon regularly encountered in neurorehabilitation but also in regular clinical practice. Its clinical assessment must be detailed and associated with an evaluation of the functional aspect in order to set up therapeutic strategies according to personalized goals. Indeed, appropriate management consists of treating the functional discomfort, pain and preventing irreversible long-term effects. Nevertheless, spasticity can sometimes prove useful in palliating motor deficiency and allowing an activity such as walking, it then does not require treatment that could result in a deterioration of such function. The aim of this article is to define spasticity, develop the means of clinical and functional evaluation and outline the different therapeutic approaches.

La spasticité est un symptôme régulièrement rencontré en neuroréhabilitation mais également dans la pratique quotidienne. Son évaluation clinique doit être précise et axée sur les aspects fonctionnels afin de mettre en place des stratégies thérapeutiques en fonction d'objectifs personnalisés. Sa prise en charge optimale vise à supprimer toute gêne fonctionnelle, à lutter contre la douleur et prévenir ses effets irréversibles à long terme. Néanmoins, la spasticité peut parfois s'avérer utile pour pallier une déficience motrice et permettre une activité telle que la marche, elle ne nécessite alors pas de traitement qui pourrait entraîner une détérioration de cette fonction. Le but de cet article est de définir la spasticité, de présenter les moyens pour procéder à son évaluation clinique et fonctionnelle avant d'exposer les différentes approches thérapeutiques.

Protocol for the economic evaluation of the InTENSE program for rehabilitation of chronic upper limb spasticity.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the costs of care associated with chronic upper-limb spasticity following stroke in Australia and the potential benefits of adding intensive upper limb rehabilitation to botulinum toxin-A are key objectives of the InTENSE randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Recruitment for the trial has been completed. A total of 139 participants from 6 stroke units across 3 Australian states are participating in the trial. A cost utility analysis will be undertaken to compare resource use and costs over 12 months with health-related quality of life outcomes associated with the intervention relative to a usual care comparator. A cost effectiveness analysis with the main clinical measure of outcome, Goal Attainment Scaling, will also be undertaken. The primary outcome measure for the cost utility analysis will be the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) generated from the incremental cost of the intervention as compared to the incremental benefit, as measured in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. The utility scores generated from the EQ-5D three level instrument (EQ-5D-3 L) measured at baseline, 3 months and 12 months will be utilised to calculate the incremental Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gains for the intervention relative to usual care using area-under the curve methods. DISCUSSION: The results of the economic evaluation will provide evidence of the total costs of care for patients with chronic upper limb spasticity following stroke. It will also provide evidence for the cost-effectiveness of adding evidence-based movement therapy to botulinum toxin-A as a treatment, providing important information for health system decision makers tasked with the planning and provision of services.

Special Considerations in Pediatric Assessment.

Pediatric spasticity management requires special consideration because of continuous growth and underlying medical complications due to upper motor neuron disease. Early intervention, regular follow-up, and management of spasticity are critical to improve function and prevent musculoskeletal complications, functional deterioration, and the development of pain. Thorough history taking along with comprehensive medical evaluation and physical examination by practitioners with knowledge about spasticity are important clues for spasticity management in addition to thorough history taking and review of current medications. This article reviews the rationale of early intervention and continuum of care, basic physical examination, and therapeutic options for spasticity management and spasticity's aggravating factors.

Special Considerations and Assessment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive autoimmune neurologic disorder that may affect any region of the central nervous system. Spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis can be debilitating and detrimental to the function and quality of life of patients. Treatment options include oral medications, chemodenervation, physical therapy, and modalities. Cannabinoids in the form of a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol oro-mucosal spray has been shown to be effective in addressing spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Successful treatment of spasticity will be integrated, multimodal, and individualized.

Assessment and treatment of spastic equinovarus foot after stroke: Guidance from the Mont-Godinne interdisciplinary group.

OBJECTIVE: To present interdisciplinary practical guidance for the assessment and treatment of spastic equinovarus foot after stroke. RESULTS: Clinical examination and diagnostic nerve block with anaesthetics determine the relative role of the factors leading to spastic equinovarus foot after stroke: calf spasticity, triceps surae - Achilles tendon complex shortening and dorsiflexor muscles weakness and/or imbalance. Diagnostic nerve block is a mandatory step in determining the cause(s) of, and the most appropriate treatment(s) for, spastic equinovarus foot. Based on interdisciplinary discussion, and according to a patient-oriented goal approach, a medical and/or surgical treatment plan is proposed in association with a rehabilitation programme. Spasticity is treated with botulinum toxin or phenol-alcohol chemodenervation and neurotomy, shortening is treated by stretching and muscle-tendon lengthening, and weakness is treated by ankle-foot orthosis, functional electrical stimulation and tendon transfer. These treatments are frequently combined. CONCLUSION: Based on 20 years of interdisciplinary expertise of management of the spastic foot, guidance was established to clarify a complex problem in order to help clinicians treat spastic equinovarus foot. This work should be the first step in a more global international consensus.

[An assessment of the management of spasticity in Spain: the 5E Study]. / Evaluacion del tratamiento de la espasticidad en España: estudio 5E.

INTRODUCTION: Although spasticity is a disabling complication of high incidence, there is a lack of either regional or national epidemiological studies in Spain evaluating its management. AIM: To evaluate the management of spasticity in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An epidemiological, observational, multicenter, and retrospective study involving 49 rehabilitation services of public and private hospitals was designed. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-five patients from 49 centers, with evidence of upper (UL) or lower limb (LL) spasticity with one valid baseline visit and at least one follow-up visit, were included. Among the patients included in the study 148 (62.9%) have post stroke spasticity; 79 (33.6%) have LL spasticity, 38 (16.1%) UL, and 118 (50.3%) in both. At baseline, Modified Ashworth Scale, goniometry, Visual Analog Scale for pain and Tardieu Scale had been performed in 164 (69.8%), 99 (42.1%), 85 (36.2%), and 26 (11.1%) patients, respectively. A 93.8% (IC 95%: 81.4-97.6%) of the centers accurately defined the treatment goals and 52% of the objectives were agreed with the patient. Botulinum A toxin was administered in 186 (79.1%) of patients; 49 (20.9%) patients were treated with oral antispastic medications and 93 (39.6%) were under physiotherapy treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients have post-stroke spasticity. Moreover, botulinum A toxin was the most commonly treatment applied to patients with spasticity. The results demonstrate that the management of spasticity varies significantly across the different centers participating in the study.

TITLE: Evaluacion del tratamiento de la espasticidad en España: estudio 5E.Introduccion. Aunque la espasticidad es una secuela que presenta una incidencia alta, hay una carencia de estudios que evaluen su manejo terapeutico en España. Objetivo. Evaluar el tratamiento de la espasticidad en España. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio epidemiologico, observacional, multicentrico y retrospectivo en el que participaron 49 servicios de rehabilitacion de hospitales publicos y privados. Resultados. Se incluyeron 235 pacientes, con espasticidad del miembro superior (MS) o inferior (MI), que realizaron una visita basal valida y al menos una visita de seguimiento. De los pacientes incluidos en el estudio, 148 (62,9%) tenian espasticidad postictus; 79 (33,6%), espasticidad del MI; 38 (16,1%), del MS; y 118 (50,3%), de ambos. En la visita basal, la escala modificada de Ashworth, la goniometria, la escala analogica visual para el dolor y la escala de Tardieu se habian realizado en 164 (69,8%), 99 (42,1%), 85 (36,2%) y 26 (11,1%) pacientes, respectivamente. Un 93,8% (intervalo de confianza al 95%: 81,4-97,6%) de los centros definio los objetivos del tratamiento de forma exacta, y un 52% de los objetivos fueron consensuados con el paciente. La toxina botulinica tipo A se administro a 186 (79,1%) pacientes; 49 (20,9%) se trataron con antiespasticos orales, y 93 (39,6%), con fisioterapia. Conclusiones. La mayoria de los pacientes incluidos presentaban espasticidad postictus. Ademas, la toxina botulinica tipo A era el tratamiento mas comunmente aplicado a los pacientes con espasticidad. Los resultados demuestran que el tratamiento de la espasticidad varia considerablemente entre los diferentes centros participantes en el estudio.

Advances in the management of multiple sclerosis symptoms: pathophysiology and assessment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

Spasticity is a prevalent and troublesome symptom for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Common instruments to measure MS spasticity include the clinician-rated (modified) Ashworth scale and the patient-rated 0-10 spasticity Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Current opinion is that measurement of MS spasticity should incorporate the patient's perspective. Other instruments to assess spasticity-associated symptoms such as the Penn spasms frequency scale, sleep quality NRS and pain NRS can assist in tracking MS spasticity evolution and inform management choices. Worsening spasticity reduces patient autonomy, impacts negatively on quality of life and increases health resource utilization and costs. Despite the wide range of issues associated with MS spasticity, undertreatment is common and standard treatment options (physiotherapy and classical oral therapies) often fail to provide adequate symptomatic control.

Post stroke pain: identification, assessment, and therapy.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common complication after stroke and is associated with the presence of depression, cognitive dysfunction, and impaired quality of life. It remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite evidence that effective treatment of pain may improve function and quality of life. SUMMARY: We provide an overview of the means for clinical assessment and risk factors for the development of post-stroke pain, then review the newest available literature regarding the commonest post-stroke pain syndromes, including central post-stroke pain, complex regional pain syndrome, musculoskeletal pain including shoulder subluxation, spasticity-related pain, and post-stroke headache, as well as the available epidemiology and current treatment options. Key Messages: In the best interests of optimizing quality of life and function after stroke, clinicians should be aware of pain as a common complication after stroke, identify those patients at highest risk, directly inquire as to the presence and characteristics of pain, and should be aware of the options for treatment for the various pain syndromes.

MObility ImproVEment with spasticity in multiple sclerosis in Europe: the MOVE 1 EU study.

AIM: using a protocol similar to that of the MOVE 1 study in Germany, the multicenter, observational MOVE 1 EU study examined the burden of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related spasticity in other EU countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Norway, Poland and Portugal). MATERIALS & METHODS: A 12-month retrospective chart documentation was combined with questionnaires for physicians and patients at the time of enrollment. A total of 281 patients from neurology departments and MS units formed the per protocol population. RESULTS: in most patients, MS spasticity frequently restricted daily activities and caused some/moderate problems in EQ-5D subdomains of mobility, usual activities and pain/discomfort. Overall, 48% of physicians and 34% of patients were at least partly dissatisfied with the effectiveness of available pharmacotherapy options for MS spasticity. CONCLUSION: Results of the MOVE 1 Germany and MOVE 1 EU studies are aligned and highlight the need to optimize the therapeutic management of patients with MS spasticity across Europe so as to improve their overall well-being and quality of life.

Clinical case reviews and poster sessions in multiple sclerosis spasticity: main outcomes and highlights.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity present with a range of symptoms and disability levels that are frequently challenging to manage. Summary : Clinical case reviews in treatment-resistant MS spasticity were presented in five country-specific sessions conducted in parallel at the MS Experts Summit. Attendees at the Norwegian session discussed early response to new treatments for severe spasticity and highlighted the importance of titrating THC:CBD oromucosal spray (Sativex®) when adding it to baclofen. The French group focussed on MS symptoms and patient characteristics that interact with spasticity and agreed on a list of minimum ratings for diagnosis of MS spasticity symptoms. Attendees at the Spanish session concurred that THC:CBD oromucosal spray is effective and well tolerated as add-on therapy in treatment-resistant MS spasticity, particularly for pain, spasms and gait disturbances. The Italian group discussed the use of add-on THC:CBD oromucosal spray and other possible combination therapies for treatment-resistant MS spasticity. Attendees at the German session highlighted the need to address trigger factors for MS spasticity to reduce the potential for impact on activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QoL). Three innovative studies of MS spasticity from the poster session were selected for closer review. The MOVE 1 EU epidemiological study indicated that, across western Europe, patients with MS spasticity continue to have unmet management needs. A literature review demonstrated that symptomatic relief of MS spasticity in patients who respond to THC:CBD oromucosal spray translates into sustainable improvements in ADL and QoL. Enriched-design studies of medications targeting the endocannabinoid system require careful interpretation due to possible pharmacodynamic 'priming', i.e. carry-over effects of successful active treatment during the enrichment phase. Key Messages: Sharing experiences of clinical practice, including experience with the use of THC:CBD oromucosal spray, may be useful to overcome some of the challenges in the overall management of patients with moderate to severe treatment-resistant MS spasticity.

Burden of disease in multiple sclerosis patients with spasticity in Germany: mobility improvement study (Move I).

OBJECTIVES: To describe the current management patterns of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with spasticity in Germany and the impact of MS spasticity on quality of life (QoL) and associated costs. METHODS: Non-interventional, multicentre, cross-sectional and retrospective burden-of-disease study including 414 MS patients with spasticity (age from 25 to 80 years) from 42 clinical practices across Germany. All patients were diagnosed with MS-related spasticity based on neurological examination at least 12 months before inclusion in the study. Three different forms were completed on different aspects of the disease: the patient questionnaire, the chart documentation form and the physician questionnaire. RESULTS: Mild, moderate and severe spasticity were found in 27.3, 44.0 and 28.7 % of patients, respectively. Associated symptoms and QoL scores were worse in patients with higher degrees of spasticity. In particular, higher mean scores for sleep impairment (mild vs. severe, 2.1 vs. 4.3), mean spasm count (3/day vs. 10.1/day), mean WEIMuS fatigue score (15.8 vs. 19.8), increased walking time (9.6 vs. 20.2 s) and lower mean QoL scores (MSQoL-54 physical subscale, 54.9 vs. 39.5; EQ-5D, 0.60 vs. 0.30) were reported in patients with severe spasticity in comparison to patients with mild spasticity. Patient management mainly comprised physiotherapy (mild vs. severe, 65.5 vs. 85.7 %) and medication (84.2 vs. 64.8 %) with baclofen. The average cost for patients with mild spasticity was €2,268/year, increasing to €8,688/patient/year for patients with severe spasticity. The health insurance costs showed the same trend. CONCLUSIONS: MS patients with spasticity suffer a significant burden because of resulting disabilities and reduced QoL, especially in cases of severe spasticity. Moreover, spasticity causes high costs that increase with increasing severity.

Spasticity after stroke: physiology, assessment and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Spasticity following a stroke occurs in about 30% of patients. The mechanisms underlying this disorder, however, are not well understood. METHOD: This review aims to define spasticity, describe hypotheses explaining its development after a stroke, give an overview of related neuroimaging studies as well as a description of the most common scales used to quantify the degree of spasticity and finally explore which treatments are currently being used to treat this disorder. RESULTS: The lack of consensus is highlighted on the basis of spasticity and the associated absence of guidelines for treatment, use of drugs and rehabilitation programmes. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies require controlled protocols to determine the efficiency of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for spasticity. Neuroimaging may help predict the occurrence of spasticity and could provide insight into its neurological basis.

Cost-effectiveness of treating upper limb spasticity due to stroke with botulinum toxin type A: results from the botulinum toxin for the upper limb after stroke (BoTULS) trial.

Stroke imposes significant burdens on health services and society, and as such there is a growing need to assess the cost-effectiveness of stroke treatment to ensure maximum benefit is derived from limited resources. This study compared the cost-effectiveness of treating post-stroke upper limb spasticity with botulinum toxin type A plus an upper limb therapy programme against the therapy programme alone. Data on resource use and health outcomes were prospectively collected for 333 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity taking part in a randomized trial and combined to estimate the incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained of botulinum toxin type A plus therapy relative to therapy alone. The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of botulinum toxin type A plus therapy was £93,500 per QALY gained. The probability of botulinum toxin type A plus therapy being cost-effective at the England and Wales cost-effectiveness threshold value of £20,000 per QALY was 0.36. The point estimates of the ICER remained above £20,000 per QALY for a range of sensitivity analyses, and the probability of botulinum toxin type A plus therapy being cost-effective at the threshold value did not exceed 0.39, regardless of the assumptions made.

Assessing competency in spasticity management: a method of development and assessment.

This project endeavored to create an educational module including methodology to instruct physical medicine and rehabilitation residents in the evaluation and appropriate treatment of patients with spasticity and other sequelae of the upper motor neuron syndrome. It further sought to verify acquired competencies in spasticity management through objective evaluation methodology. A physical medicine and rehabilitation board-certified physician with 10 yrs clinical experience in spasticity management trained 16 residents using a standardized competency-based module. Assessment tools developed for this program address the basic competencies outlined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The 16 residents successfully demonstrated proficiency in every segment of the evaluation module by the end of the Postgraduate Year 3 spasticity management rotation. Objective measures compared resident scores on an institution-specific standardized test administered before and after training. Resident proficiency in the skills and knowledge pertaining to spasticity management was objectively verified after completion of the standardized educational module. Validation of the assessment tool is evidenced by significantly improved postrotational institution-specific standardized test scores (mean pretest score, 61.1%; mean posttest score, 95.4%) as well as oral testing. In addition, the clinical development tool was validated by residents being individually observed performing skills and deemed competent by a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician specializing in spasticity management. The standardized educational module and evaluation methodology provide a potential framework for the definition of baseline competency in the clinical skill area of spasticity management.

Effectiveness of stretch for the treatment and prevention of contractures in people with neurological conditions: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Contractures are a disabling complication of neurological conditions that are commonly managed with stretch. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of stretch for the treatment and prevention of contractures. The review is part of a more-detailed Cochrane review. Only the results of the studies including patients with neurological conditions are reported here. DATA SOURCES: Electronic searches were conducted in June 2010 in the following computerized databases: Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Health Technology Assessment Database (HTA), MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, SCI-EXPANDED, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The review included randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials of stretch applied for the purposes of treating or preventing contractures in people with neurological conditions. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The primary outcome measures were joint mobility (range of motion) and quality of life. Secondary outcome measures were pain, spasticity, activity limitation, and participation restriction. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies provide moderate-quality evidence that stretch has a small immediate effect on joint mobility (mean difference=3°, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0° to 5°) and high-quality evidence that stretch has little or no short-term or long-term effects on joint mobility (mean difference=1° and 0°, respectively, 95% CI=0° to 3° and -2° to 2°, respectively). There is little or no effect of stretch on pain, spasticity, and activity limitation. LIMITATIONS: No studies were retrieved that investigated the effects of stretch for longer than 6 months. CONCLUSION: Regular stretch does not produce clinically important changes in joint mobility, pain, spasticity, or activity limitation in people with neurological conditions.