Influence of the Passive Stabilization of the Trunk and Upper Limb on Selected Parameters of the Hand Motor Coordination, Grip Strength and Muscle Tension, in Post-Stroke Patients

Abstract

Objective: Assessment of the influence of a stable trunk and the affected upper limb (dominant or non-dominant) on the parameters of the wrist and hand motor coordination, grip strength and muscle tension in patients in the subacute post-stroke stage compared to healthy subjects. Design: An observational study. Setting: Stroke Rehabilitation Department. Subjects: Thirty-four subjects after ischemic cerebral stroke and control group-32 subjects without neurological deficits, age and body mass/ height matched were included. Main measures: The tone of the multifidus, transverse abdominal and supraspinatus muscles were assessed by Luna EMG device. A HandTutor device were used to measure motor coordination parameters (e.g., range of movement, frequency of movement), and a manual dynamometer for measuring the strength of a hand grip. Subjects were examined in two positions: sitting without back support (non-stabilized) and lying with stabilization of the trunk and the upper limb. Results: Passive stabilization of the trunk and the upper extremity caused a significant improvement in motor coordination of the fingers (p ˂ 0.001) and the wrist (p < 0.001) in patients after stroke. Improved motor coordination of the upper extremity was associated with an increased tone of the supraspinatus muscle. Conclusions: Passive stabilization of the trunk and the upper limb improved the hand and wrist coordination in patients following a stroke. Placing patients in a supine position with the stability of the affected upper limb during rehabilitation exercises may help them to access latent movement patterns lost due to neurological impairment after a stroke.

Motor Coordination and Grip Strength of the Dominant and Non-Dominant Affected Upper Limb Depending on the Body Position—An Observational Study of Patients after Ischemic Stroke

“…Motor coordination was assessed using the Hand Tutor TM, as in Carmela et al and the earlier works of the authors of this study [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. For the functional status analysis, commonly accepted scales and tests were used, such as MAS, Trunk Control Test, and the Fugl-Meyer UE assessment [ 34 , 35 , 41 ].…”

A Novel Perspective for Examining and Comparing Real and Virtual Test Tasks Performed by the Dominant and Non-Dominant Hand in Healthy Adults

“…The third method is derived from observation of the preferred use of hands in daily activities (e.g., self-grooming, gesturing) [64]. The fourth method estimates the differences between hands in actual skilled activities (e.g., speed and accuracy between hands, or coordination across muscles, fingers, and hands) by different functional tasks [65][66][67][68][69][70].…”

“…The fourth method estimates the differences between hands in actual skilled activities (e.g., speed and accuracy between hands, or coordination across muscles, fingers, and hands) by different functional tasks [65][66][67][68][69][70].…”

Assessment of the Impact of the Tipstim® Device Application and the Study Position on Motor Coordination and Grip Strength of the Affected Upper Limb Post-Ischemic Stroke—A Randomized Parallel Crossover Trial

“…However, we also decided to evaluate the results of handgrip strength and coordination in a stable lying position. There are reports of other possibilities of testing the handgrip strength and coordination of the movement of the distal part of the upper limb, emphasizing the effectiveness of the results obtained in the supine position [41]. In the search for the best ways to improve the coordination of distal upper limb movement and handgrip strength, the authors decided to analyze the impact of tipstim ® interventions and whether the testing position has any relevance to the improvement of the studied variables.…”