Location and severity of spasticity in the first 1-2 weeks and at 3 and 18 months after stroke

Background and purpose: There is no consensus concerning the location or severity of spasticity, or how this changes with time after stroke. The purpose was to describe: the location and severity of spasticity, in different muscle groups, during the first 1–2 weeks and at 3 and 18 months after stroke; the association between the severity of spasticity and control of voluntary movements; and the occurrence of spasticity in younger versus older patients. Methods: In a cohort of consecutive patients, the following parameters were assessed during the first 1–2 weeks (n = 109) and at 3 (n = 95) and 18 (n = 66) months after first‐ever stroke: spasticity, by the Modified Ashworth Scale in different muscle groups; plantar‐flexor clonus, by physical examination; and movement function, by the Lindmark Motor Assessment Scale. Results: During the first 1–2 weeks and at 3 months after stroke, spasticity was most common in the anti‐gravity muscles. The severity of upper extremity spasticity increased over time (P