Voluntary Movement Impairment in Upper Motor Neuron Lesions: Is Spasticity the Main Cause?

This literature review examines the possibility that factors other than spasticity limit voluntary movement in patients with an upper motor neuron lesion. The literature suggests that factors such as decreased convergent impulses on motor cells in the spinal cord and prolongation of agonist action may he as important or perhaps more important than antagonist spasticity in limiting voluntary movement. A reeducation regimen for voluntary movement based on this alternative premise is proposed.