Objective
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Hypertonia Assessment Tool (HAT)
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Purpose
To identify the severity of hypertonia & presence of spasticity, dystonia & rigidity . Also an outcome measure
Children aged 4-19 with increased tone
Assesment Type
Patient Group
Cerebral Palsy | Neurodisability (Other)
Age Group
Children (3-12 years) | Adolescents (13-17 years) | Young Adult (18+ years)
ICF domain
Body Structure & Function
Area of assessment
None
Key description
Each limb assessed in turn, Limb moved in a purposeful movement and assessed for the presence of 7 items, scoring 1 or 0 :
3 dystonic observations
2 spastic observations
2 rigidity observations
Scores compiled to identify type (s) or hypertonia present.
Good validity and reliability for detecting spasticity, variable results with dystonia/rigidity
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0883073816671681
Individual assessment of each limb
Cost
Free
Equipment required
None
Training required
N/A
Considerations & references
Cost
Free, downloadable score sheets
hypertonia assessment tool (hat) summary score
https://research.hollandbloorview.ca/sites/default/files/2019-07/HAT-Scoring-Sheet-2017-09.pdf
References/ Links
Hypertonia Assessment Tool (HAT) | Holland Bloorview
Time to complete
5 minutes per limb assessed
Comments
Video tutorials available free with login
No information about other languages
If you spot any errors or wish to suggest any amendments to this summary, please contact paediatricmeasures@apcp.org.uk