Which movement pattern best differentiates spastic CP from dyskinetic CP?

Which movement pattern best differentiates spastic CP from dyskinetic CP?

• A. Spastic CP features involuntary, fluctuating choreoathetoid movements, especially in face and trunk.
• B. Spastic CP features velocity-dependent hypertonia with stiff, synergistic patterns; dyskinetic CP features involuntary, fluctuating choreoathetoid movements, especially in face and trunk.
• C. Spastic CP features tremors only; dyskinetic CP features spasticity.
• D. Spastic CP is random; dyskinetic CP is fixed.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how tone and movement patterns differ between spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Spastic CP presents with velocity-dependent hypertonia, causing stiff, synergistic patterns where movement is restricted and primitive reflexes are exaggerated. Dyskinetic CP, on the other hand, is marked by involuntary, fluctuating movements—choreoathetosis—especially in the face and trunk—reflecting extrapyramidal involvement. The option that fits best states these exact distinctions: spastic CP with velocity-dependent hypertonia and stiff, synergistic patterns, and dyskinetic CP with involuntary, fluctuating choreoathetoid movements in the face and trunk. Statements that assign choreoathetoid movements to spastic CP, describe spastic CP as tremor-dominant, or characterize the movement patterns as random or fixed, don’t align with how these subtypes manifest clinically.

The key idea is how tone and movement patterns differ between spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Spastic CP presents with velocity-dependent hypertonia, causing stiff, synergistic patterns where movement is restricted and primitive reflexes are exaggerated. Dyskinetic CP, on the other hand, is marked by involuntary, fluctuating movements—choreoathetosis—especially in the face and trunk—reflecting extrapyramidal involvement. The option that fits best states these exact distinctions: spastic CP with velocity-dependent hypertonia and stiff, synergistic patterns, and dyskinetic CP with involuntary, fluctuating choreoathetoid movements in the face and trunk. Statements that assign choreoathetoid movements to spastic CP, describe spastic CP as tremor-dominant, or characterize the movement patterns as random or fixed, don’t align with how these subtypes manifest clinically.