Which type of cerebral palsy is characterized by increased muscle tone?

Which type of cerebral palsy is characterized by increased muscle tone?

• A. Dyskinesis
• B. Spastic
• C. Ataxic
• D. Hypokinesis

Answer: (B)

The type of cerebral palsy characterized by increased muscle tone is spastic cerebral palsy. This condition results from damage to the motor cortex of the brain, leading to stiffness and tightness in the muscles, which can significantly affect movement and posture. Children with spastic cerebral palsy often exhibit hypertonia, which means their muscles resist being stretched. This increased muscle tone can result in difficulty with coordinated movements and can lead to joint contractures because the muscles are constantly contracted. Typically, spastic cerebral palsy is classified based on the distribution of muscle tone and movement impairments, such as spastic hemiplegia (affecting one side of the body) or spastic diplegia (affecting both legs more than the arms). In contrast, dyskinetic cerebral palsy is characterized by involuntary movements due to brain damage, ataxic cerebral palsy involves impaired balance and coordination, and hypokinetic conditions relate to reduced movement. Therefore, the presence of increased muscle tone distinctly identifies spastic cerebral palsy as the correct answer.

The type of cerebral palsy characterized by increased muscle tone is spastic cerebral palsy. This condition results from damage to the motor cortex of the brain, leading to stiffness and tightness in the muscles, which can significantly affect movement and posture. Children with spastic cerebral palsy often exhibit hypertonia, which means their muscles resist being stretched.

This increased muscle tone can result in difficulty with coordinated movements and can lead to joint contractures because the muscles are constantly contracted. Typically, spastic cerebral palsy is classified based on the distribution of muscle tone and movement impairments, such as spastic hemiplegia (affecting one side of the body) or spastic diplegia (affecting both legs more than the arms).

In contrast, dyskinetic cerebral palsy is characterized by involuntary movements due to brain damage, ataxic cerebral palsy involves impaired balance and coordination, and hypokinetic conditions relate to reduced movement. Therefore, the presence of increased muscle tone distinctly identifies spastic cerebral palsy as the correct answer.