Abstract: Objective To observe the changes of muscle architecture parameters (MAP) in stroke by ultrasound before and after antispasmodic treatment. Methods 6 spastic hemplegic stroke patients were enrolled. All patients accepted anti- spastic rehabilitation training and took oral antispastic medicine. The muscle tone was assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and MAP was measured by ultrasound before, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment. MAP included pennation angle (PA), fascicle length (FL) and muscular thickness (MT). All data were analyzed. Results There were significant difference in MAS between baseline level and 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment (P<0.05). There were significant difference in FL and PA between baseline level and 4 weeks after treatment (P<0.05). There were statistical significance in FL between 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment as well (P<0.05). With the treatment, the difference in MAS, FL, PA and MT decreased between both side legs. Conclusion MAP and MAS are sensitive in evaluating the significant change of muscle tone. MAP combined with MAS may be optimal choice for evaluating antispasticity effects in poststroke.

Key words: ultrasound, muscle architecture parameters, stroke, spasticity, evaluation