Muscular morphological adaptations of spasticity: literature review <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

AIMS: The purpose of this article was to review the main evidence of the effects of spasticity on muscle tissue. SOURCE OF DATA: We selected 35 articles in the databases PubMed and SciELO, from the year 1969. The key words used in the search process were spasticity, spastic, muscle architecture, muscle length, fascicle length, muscle histopathology, morphological changes, fiber type, sarcomere length, titin, stroke and cerebral palsy. From the analysis of titles and abstracts, 19 articles were selected, which made mention of muscle structural changes arising from a positive clinical spasticity. The other references were used to contextualize and to define general concepts necessary for introducing the topic. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: Different types of adaptation of muscle structure occur in subjects with spasticity when compared to healthy subjects. These changes may occur at the macroscopic and at the microscopic level. Spasticity may reduce the length and volume of the muscle, increasing the number of type I fibers, reducing sarcomere number and increase extracellular tissue in spastic muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Spasticity affects the muscular skeletal system and prevents the development of normal motor functions.