A Method of Measuring the Dynamic Characteristics of Muscle Rigidity, Strength, and Tremor in the Upper Extremity

A new method of quantitating muscle rigidity in terms of energy consumption per cycle of passive motion has been presented. The chief advantage of this method is its relative freedom from exact positioning of the patient with respect to the testing machine and its greater sensitivity as compared to torque measurements. Additional uses for the instrument include the measurement of tremor and strength.