• Khalid Anwar and M P Barnes.
• Walkergate Park International Centre for Neurorehabilitation, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Khalid.anwar@stees.nhs.uk
• NeuroRehabilitation. 2009 Jan 1;24(4):333-40.

ObjectiveTo assess the validity and reliability of a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for the measurement of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.DesignLongitudinal study with multiple comparators over two clinic visits.SettingRehabilitation Centre in the North East of England, UK.SubjectsA total of thirty-five patients, with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) that were attending a rehabilitation clinic.ResultsThe test/re-test reliability of the NRS showed there was a high correlation between the two visits (r = 0.672). Construct validity was assessed by examining the relationship between the mean spasticity NRS and each of the other spasticity assessment tools. There was a statistically significant correlation between subject's mean NRS diary scores and the Modified Ashworth Scale scores at both visits (Visit 1, r = 0.459, p = 0.0056; Visit 2, r = 0.446, p = 0.0106). There was a moderate, statistically significant correlation between the mean NRS diary scores and the Tardieu Scale (Visit 1, r = 0.429, p = 0.0113; Visit 2, r = 0.407, p = 0.0209).ConclusionsThe spasticity NRS has been shown to be a valid and reliable tool in the assessment of spasticity with a moderate to high level of correlation with other clinician rated instruments used to assess spasticity.

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