General Hypertonia Assessment Tools
- Hypertonia Assessment Tool (HAT): Differentiates between spasticity, dystonia, and rigidity in children.
- Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS): Evaluates velocity-dependent hypertonia and distinguishes spasticity from contractures.
- Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS): Grades spasticity severity on a 0–4 scale.
- Tone Assessment Scale (TAS): Measures tone in different postures and its functional impact.
Spasticity-Specific Tools
- Pendulum Test: Measures the oscillatory movement of a limb to assess spasticity.
- Electrophysiological Measures:
- H-reflex to M-wave Ratio (H/M ratio): Quantifies reflex hyperexcitability in spasticity.
- Composite Spasticity Index (CSI): Combines clinical and electrophysiological measures for spasticity evaluation.
Dystonia-Specific Tools
- Barry-Albright Dystonia Scale (BADS): Rates dystonia severity in children with cerebral palsy.
- Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS): Measures severity and disability caused by dystonia.
- Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS): Comprehensive assessment of dystonia in multiple body parts.
Ataxia-Specific Tools
- Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA): Rates severity of ataxia across domains like gait, stance, and coordination.
- International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS): Assesses postural control, coordination, speech, and oculomotor function.
- Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS): Focuses on critical aspects of ataxia for quicker assessments.
- Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS): Specific to Friedreich’s ataxia but applicable to other types.
- Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT): Measures upper limb coordination.
- Dynamic Gait Index (DGI): Evaluates gait adaptability in ataxic individuals.
- Berg Balance Scale (BBS): Assesses balance in patients with ataxia.
Tic-Specific Tools
- Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS): Comprehensive scale assessing tic severity, impairment, and frequency.
- Shapiro Tourette Syndrome Severity Scale (STSSS): Evaluates the severity of motor and vocal tics.
- Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale (PUTS): Measures the intensity of premonitory urges associated with tics.
- Tourette Syndrome Symptom List (TSSL): Provides a checklist of motor and vocal tics for clinical evaluation.
- Child Tourette Syndrome Impairment Scale (CTIM): Focuses on how tics affect daily life and functioning.
- Modified Rush Video Rating Scale (MRVRS): Uses video recordings to rate tic severity and frequency.
- Tic Inventory Checklist: Assesses the variety and complexity of tics observed.
Functional and Quality of Life Measures
- Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL): Evaluates the impact of hypertonia, ataxia, or tics on life quality.
- Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life (CP QOL): Measures emotional and social impact specific to hypertonia.
- Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Useful for identifying behavioral and social issues in children with tics.
Pain and Discomfort Scales
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS): Assesses pain associated with hypertonia or tics.
- FLACC Scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability): Pain assessment for non-verbal children.
Monitoring and Outcome Measures
- Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS): Tracks individual treatment goals in hypertonia, ataxia, or tic disorders.
- Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM): Monitors progress in functional and daily life activities.
- YGTSS or MRVRS: Can be used longitudinally to assess tic disorder management outcomes.
