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Definition, Assessment and Treatment of Spasticity According to Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists in Flanders, Belgium: A Cross-sectional Qualitative Study.

NCT06956534 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 90

Last updated 2025-05-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The definition of spasticity described by Lance in 1980 provided a strong academic foundation for characterizing this neurological symptom. However, there are doubts about its value in clinical practice for evaluating and treating spasticity. This "upper motor neuron syndrome" is highly complex and does not exist in isolation. Beyond the various definitions that have been attributed to it, spasticity correlates with sensory input, movement, muscle properties, and the continuity of the central nervous system. This has led to an ongoing academic debate regarding how spasticity should be classified and how it should be treated correctly.

This study aims to improve quality by gaining a better understanding of how healthcare providers (physiotherapists \& occupational therapists) perceive the definition, evaluation, and treatment of spasticity. The questionnaire is based on the existing study by Blanchette et al. (2017), which was conducted in Canada and surveyed both English- and French-speaking physiotherapists and occupational therapists. That study examined sociodemographic data, work environment, satisfaction with measurement tools for spasticity, and treatment preferences. This study adopts these components while adding an extra item: the definition of spasticity. The research team included this item to explore how healthcare providers interpret spasticity. This will be assessed through multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

The research will be conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Steven Truijen (Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium, [email protected]) and Prof. Dr. Wim Saeys (Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium, [email protected]), organized by the University of Antwerp. During this study, no costs or reimbursements will be expected from participants, health insurance, or the research environment.

Conditions

  • Spasticity

Interventions

OTHER

Questionnaire and Physical Exam

online digital questionnaire

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universiteit Antwerpen

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
21 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-09-16
Primary Completion
2025-02-28
Completion
2025-02-28
FDA Device
Yes

Countries

  • Belgium

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06956534 on ClinicalTrials.gov