Abstract
Background: Spasticity following a stroke occurs in about 30% of patients. The mechanisms
underlying this disorder, however, are not well understood.
Method: This review aims to define spasticity, describe hypotheses explaining its development
after a stroke, give an overview of related neuroimaging studies as well as a description of the
most common scales used to quantify the degree of spasticity and finally explore which
treatments are currently being used to treat this disorder.
Results: The lack of consensus is highlighted on the basis of spasticity and the associated
absence of guidelines for treatment, use of drugs and rehabilitation programmes.
Conclusions: Future studies require controlled protocols to determine the efficiency of
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for spasticity. Neuroimaging may help
predict the occurrence of spasticity and could provide insight into its neurological basis.