The swimming test is effective for evaluating spasticity after contusive spinal cord injury

Spasticity, a common issue after spinal cord injury (SCI), varies in severity, necessitating reliable evaluation methods. This study explores the swimming test's effectiveness in assessing spasticity in a rat model of contusive SCI, which mimics clinical scenarios better than complete spinal cord transection models. Rats with SCI were categorized into 'spasticity-strong' or 'spasticity-weak' groups based on their spastic behaviors during swimming. The 'spasticity-strong' group showed more severe signs of upper motor neuron syndrome through electrophysiological and histological evaluations. The research suggests that the swimming test accurately evaluates spasticity in a contusive SCI model, offering a valuable tool for assessing spastic behaviors and advancing treatments for spasticity post-SCI.

• 1
  The spasticity-strong group had significantly decreased rate-dependent depression of the H-reflex compared to the spasticity-weak group, indicating more hyperexcitability of the lumbar circuit.
• 2
  The area of 5-HT2A receptor immunoreactivity was significantly increased in the spasticity-strong group, suggesting a more severe upper motor neuron syndrome.
• 3
  During 20-hour cage observations, the spasticity-strong group exhibited significantly more spasm and clonus episodes than the spasticity-weak group, confirming the swimming test results.