What type of cerebral palsy involves variable muscle tone changes throughout the day?

What type of cerebral palsy involves variable muscle tone changes throughout the day?

• A. Spastic
• B. Dyskinetic
• C. Athetoid
• D. Ataxic

Answer: (B)

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is characterized by variable muscle tone, which can fluctuate throughout the day. Individuals with this type experience uncontrolled movements that can make maintaining posture and coordination difficult. The muscles might feel too tight or too loose at different times, leading to challenges in voluntary movement. This variability in muscle tone is a key feature that distinguishes dyskinetic types from others. When a person's muscle tone shifts day by day or even hour by hour, it significantly impacts their ability to perform everyday tasks, which is a hallmark of dyskinetic cerebral palsy. In contrast, spastic cerebral palsy involves consistently high muscle tone, leading to stiff and tight muscles. Athetoid cerebral palsy, often considered under dyskinetic, specifically describes the writhing movements without the broader variable tone aspect. Ataxic cerebral palsy is related more to problems with balance and coordination rather than significant fluctuations in muscle tone. Thus, the focus on the variability of muscle tone throughout the day is what makes dyskinetic cerebral palsy the correct answer.

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is characterized by variable muscle tone, which can fluctuate throughout the day. Individuals with this type experience uncontrolled movements that can make maintaining posture and coordination difficult. The muscles might feel too tight or too loose at different times, leading to challenges in voluntary movement.

This variability in muscle tone is a key feature that distinguishes dyskinetic types from others. When a person's muscle tone shifts day by day or even hour by hour, it significantly impacts their ability to perform everyday tasks, which is a hallmark of dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

In contrast, spastic cerebral palsy involves consistently high muscle tone, leading to stiff and tight muscles. Athetoid cerebral palsy, often considered under dyskinetic, specifically describes the writhing movements without the broader variable tone aspect. Ataxic cerebral palsy is related more to problems with balance and coordination rather than significant fluctuations in muscle tone. Thus, the focus on the variability of muscle tone throughout the day is what makes dyskinetic cerebral palsy the correct answer.