Franzoi, Castro & Cardone, (1999)

- 12 patients with complete traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI);

- 12 healthy subjects (control group);

- Group classified according to the degree of spasticity: group SCI 1 (Ashworth = 1 and 2) and group SCI 2 (Ashworth = 3);

- Injury duration between 7 to 90 months.

- Complete traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury (ASIA A) with clinically detectable spasticity (Ashworth Scale 1 ± 3);

- Without previous history of knee trauma nor disease.

-Ashworth scale;

-Isokinetic dynamometer

Model: Cybex 6000®, Ronkokoma, NY, USA.

- Passive range of motion performed: 25˚ extension and 85˚ flexion;

- Angular velocities of passive movement: 30, 60 and 120˚/s (for each range of motion) whit rest periods 10s;

- Subject position: seated with chest and thigh restrained by straps. Attachment made 4 cm above the lateral malleolus;

- Instructions to subjects: able-bodied subjects were asked not to interfere on the passive movements of the dynamometer, keeping their limbs relaxed;

- Number of repetitions: 5 passive joint movements were performed for flexion and extension with 10s rest periods;

- Spasticity measurement: Average peak torque of flexion and extension movement.

It was possible, with the isokinetic examination (at displacements of 60 and 1208 per second), to determine the resistance of passive movement as a measure of muscular tone in a group of patients with spastic SCI and a control group of able-bodied subjects.

Kakebeeke et al., (2002)

- 20 patients with complete motor spinal cord injury;

- Diagnostic with a minimum time of 4 months;

- Variable injury level between C5 and T6;

- Mean time post injury 7.1 year (SD 8.6; 0.3 ± 22.6).

- Motor complete spinal cord lesion (ASIA A/B);

- Spasticity in the lower limbs, who did not suffer from any joint problems or severe osteoporosis and had a hip extension of 0˚.

-Isokinetic dynamometer

Model: Cybex Norm II, Lumex Inc. Ronkomkoma, NY, USA.

- Passive range of motion performed: Variable test range between 90˚ and 120˚;

- Angular velocities of passive movement: 10˚/s and 120˚/s;

- Subject position: two defined stretched positions:

1) Sitting position:hips in 90˚ flexion and lower legs hanging over the edge of the seat. Attachment 4 cm above the lateral malleolus.

2) Supine position: lower leg hanging over the edge of the seat; pelvis fixated with a strap over the spinae iliacae anteriores superiors, lower leg fixed 4 cm above the lateral malleolus. The other leg was placed with flexed knee and hip with the foot on the table;

- Instructions to subjects: n.d.;

- Number of repetitions: Movement performed 2 times from flexion to extension and vice versa at 10˚/s and 4 times at 120˚/s; with a 5 min break;

- Spasticity measurement: Maximum torque peak from 2 slow reps and 4 fast reps - sum of peak torque for slow repetitions and fast repetitions;

The correlation coefficients between the first and second protocol for the low speed were only moderate and not always significant.

The correlation coefficients of the movements at the higher speed were more stable and higher, with the exception of the correlation of the extensors in sitting and the flexors in supine position.

The excitability of the extensors of the knee was higher in the supine than in the sitting position, for the flexors it was reverse. In the sitting position it was easier to elicit spasms in the hamstring muscles.