Paratonia

Oppositional paratonia ("gegenhalten") occurs when subjects involuntarily resist passive movements,[1] while facilitatory paratonia ("mitgehen") occurs when subjects involuntarily assist with passive movements.

[2][3][4] Both types of paratonia have been associated with cognitive impairment or mental disorders, particularly in relation to frontal lobe dysfunction.

[5] Kral modified procedure is a more objective semi-quantitative rating of upper limb facilitatory paratonia easily applicable while patients are seated.

[13] Recording paratonia with electromyography on elbow flexor and extensors during repetitive continuous or discontinuous elbow movements may help distinguish paratonia from other forms of altered muscle tone.

[13] Spasticity also is velocity-dependent,[14] but, differently from oppositional paratonia, if repeatedly elicited decreases instead of increasing.