Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a tool for analysis of the effect of physical therapy on spasticity in HAM/TSP patients

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Luana Rego Rodrigues, Luzielma Macedo Glória, Mayara do Socorro Brito dos Santos, Rita Medeiros, George Alberto da Silva Dias, Denise da Silva Pinto
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2015
• Subjects: Tropical spastic paraparesis; ICF; Spasticity; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Ashworth
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0222-2014; https://doaj.org/article/cb241c2f7aa84749a89a93364e0f773d

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate spasticity in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients before and after physical therapy using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: Nine subjects underwent physical therapy. Spasticity was evaluated using the Modified Ashworth Scale. The obtained scores were converted into ICF body functions scores. RESULTS: The majority of subjects had a high degree of spasticity in the quadriceps muscles. According to the ICF codes, the spasticity decreased after 20 sessions of physical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The ICF was effective in evaluating spasticity in HAM/TSP patients.