Tardieuskála

The Tardieu scale, known in some languages as Tardieuskála, is a clinical tool used to quantify spasticity by assessing how a muscle and joint respond to slow and fast passive stretches. It aims to separate neural components of spasticity from non-neural factors such as contracture, providing a more detailed picture than some simpler scales.

In practice, the examiner tests a joint (commonly the elbow, knee, ankle, or wrist) by moving it passively in two ways. First, the limb is moved slowly to determine the full passive range of motion, noting the angle at which resistance is encountered (R2). Then the limb is moved rapidly to elicit the muscle’s reaction, and the angle at which a catch or full resistance occurs during the fast stretch is recorded (R1). The difference between R2 and R1 (R2 minus R1) reflects the dynamic component of spasticity, while R2 reflects the overall available passive movement.

Interpreting the results, a larger R2-R1 difference indicates a greater velocity-dependent spasticity component, whereas a small difference suggests that limitations are more due to a fixed contracture. The scale also accounts for the velocity of the stretch, often using a fast stretch (V3) to provoke the response.

The Tardieu scale is used in various neurological conditions, including stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis, to guide treatment decisions and monitor changes after interventions such as medications or botulinum toxin injections. It requires training to perform reliably and can be influenced by pain, position, and patient cooperation, so it is typically used alongside other assessments.