Manual Dexterity Is Associated With Use of the Paretic Upper Extremity in Community-Dwelling Individuals With Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Regarding people with stroke, simple outcome measures in clinical settings capable of representing the actual use of the upper extremity (UE) would be useful to rehabilitation professionals for the purposes of goal setting. This study seeks to describe the relative levels of paretic UE use, investigate the association between manual dexterity and task-related UE use, and to establish the manual dexterity cutoff points that correspond to relative levels of paretic UE use. METHODS: Forty-six adults with chronic hemiparesis participated in this cross-sectional study. Behavioral mapping was employed to ascertain the actual amount of UE use by the identifying the unimanual and bimanual activities performed in the participants' homes within a 4-hour period. Participants were classified into 4 levels of paretic UE integration into activities considering the data from the behavioral mapping (activity, hand function, and type of grasp). The Box and Block Test (BBT) and the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) were used to evaluate dexterity. The Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlations. In analyzing the receiver operating characteristic curve, we applied the Youden index to determine the cutoff points. RESULTS: Participants with full/almost full (n = 11), partial (n = 12), and limited (n = 12) integration of the paretic UE into activities and with little/no use (n = 11) were identified. Unimanual and total paretic UE activities were found to have a high correlation with the BBT scores. The boundaries between the integration levels were between full/almost full and partial integration, BBT greater than 30 blocks or NHPT of 41 seconds and less; between partial and limited, BBT greater than 16 blocks; and between limited and little/no use, BBT greater than 3 blocks. Both tests show good accuracy (≥0.81). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The BBT presents a positive high correlation with paretic UE use at home and was shown to be better able to identify "limited" and "partial" integration of the paretic UE. Both tests can identify when the paretic UE is fully/almost fully integrated into activities at home.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A354).

"Test D'évaluation Des Membres Supérieurs Des Personnes Âgées" (TEMPA) to assess upper limb activity in Parkinson's disease.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional and observational study. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Assess upper limb (UL) activity limitations using the "Test d'Evaluation des Membres Supérieurs Des Personnes Agées" (TEMPA) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and verify its clinimetrics properties. METHODS: The following were evaluated: internal consistency, interrater and test-retest reliability; concurrent validity; convergent validity; know group's validity; minimal detectable change, floor and ceiling effects, and the relationship between UL activity limitations and the presence of freezing of gait. RESULTS: Excellent reliability and interrater agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99 and κ = 0.92) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97) were found, as well internal consistency (α = 0.99). A moderate negative correlation was found between TEMPA and section II of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (ρ = -0.58; P = .001), and moderate/low between the test and the Nine Hole Peg Test values of the right UL and moderate for left UL (ρ = 0.56 and ρ = 0.41; P = .001) (ρ = 0.52 and ρ = 0.51; P = .001 and P = .002), respectively. No significant relationship was found with freezing episodes (P = .057). DISCUSSION: TEMPA is useful for assessing UL activity limitations in PD, have adequate clinimetrics properties and is capable of detecting the influence of motor symptoms during the carrying out of daily living tasks. No differences were found between freezers and no freezers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Motion Analysis of the Mug Transportation Task Through Upper Limb Kinematics.

The task of transporting objects is a fundamental part of daily living activities. Previous kinematic studies focusing on tasks such as pointing, reach-to-grasp, and drinking have not fully captured the motor behaviors involved in object transportation, including placing a cup on a table or storing items in specific places. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the motor behavior associated with transporting a mug using upper limb kinematic variables. Fifteen healthy adults were instructed to transport an open-handle mug across a table. The kinematic metrics evaluated included object end-error for accuracy, frontal and lateral end-range for precision, movement time, peak velocity, time to peak velocity for control strategy, object path ratio for efficiency, and interjoint coordination. The stability of motor behavior was assessed through a test-retest analysis. The mug transporting task achieved accuracy with a radius <10 mm around the target, a peak velocity of ∼0.4 m/s, a control strategy where acceleration time constituted about 30% of the movement time, and a slightly curved trajectory. The test-retest analysis confirmed stable motor behavior across all kinematic metrics (ICCs > 0.75). Thus, the mug transporting task exhibited unique and stable kinematic characteristics, distinguishing it from non-transport activities and effectively mirroring transporting activities of daily living.

Adaptation and development of the instruction manual for a videoconference-based Motor Assessment Scale: validity, reliability and measurement error of Tele-MAS.

PURPOSE: To develop an instruction manual to administer the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) via videoconferencing (Tele-MAS), investigate its validity, reliability and measurement error. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In-person assessment, conducted at the participant's home, was compared to remote assessment conducted by rater A. Then, within two days, the rater B, repeat the remote assessment (n = 41). Part of the sample (n = 10) was assessed again within seven days by rater A to determine test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity, agreement of alternate forms (in-person x remote) for total score and reliability of individual items were analyzed using respectively the Pearson correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots and weighted Kappa (Kw). Interrater and test-retest reliability were analyzed by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Minimal detectable changes (MDC) were computed. RESULTS: The Tele-MAS instruction manual was developed. In-person MAS and Tele-MAS present a high positive correlation (r = 0.97). Bland-Altman plots showed adequate agreement (MD=-0.0 point). Most Individual items showed excellent reliability (Kw > 0.70). Tele-MAS showed excellent interrater (ICC(2,1)=0.92) and test-retest (ICC(3,1)=0.98) reliability. Tele-MAS presents a SEM = 3% and MDC = 8%. CONCLUSION: The Tele-MAS is a valid and reliable global motor assessment scale to be applied in individuals after stroke.

The validity and reliability of Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) by videoconferencing was determined for post-stroke individuals.MAS in-person and Tele-MAS present a high positive correlation, and the Tele-MAS present an excellent reliability.A motor assessment based on a task-oriented approach the Tele-MAS may be used in telerehabilitation for post-stroke individuals.

Validity, Reliability, and Measurement Error of the Remote Fugl-Meyer Assessment by Videoconferencing: Tele-FMA.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the validity, reliability, and measurement error of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) when it was remotely administered by videoconferencing (Tele-FMA) and to describe barriers to remote administration of the FMA. METHODS: Forty-five participants who had strokes and had a smartphone or laptop computer with a camera and internet access were included. An in-person assessment was compared with a remote assessment in 11 participants, and 34 participants completed only the remote assessment. Rater 1 (R1) remotely administered, recorded, and scored the items of the FMA, after which the recording was forwarded to be scored by Rater 2. At least 7 days later, R1 rated the videorecording of the remote assessment a second time for the evaluation of intrarater reliability. In-person assessment was completed by R1 at the participant's home. Criterion validity was analyzed using the Bland-Altman limits of agreement, and convergent validity was analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient. The intrarater and interrater reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient, and individual items were analyzed using the weighted kappa. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were calculated to evaluate the measurement error. RESULTS: Bland-Altman plots showed adequate agreement of in-person FMA and tele-FMA. A moderate positive correlation was found between Tele-FMA lower extremity (LE) scores and step test results, and a strong positive correlation was found between Tele-FMA-upper extremity (UE) and Stroke Impact Scale hand function domain. Significant and excellent (0.96 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.99) interrater and intrarater reliabilities of the Tele-FMA, Tele-FMA-UE, and tele-FMA-LE were found. Regarding the individual items, most showed excellent reliability (weighted kappa > 0.70). The standard error of measurement for both reliabilities was small (≤3.1 points). The minimal detectable change with 95% CI for both the Tele-FMA and Tele-FMA-UE was 2.5 points, whereas it was 1.3 points for the Tele-FMA-LE. CONCLUSION: Tele-FMA has excellent intrarater and interrater reliability and should be considered as a valid measurement. IMPACT: The FMA is widely used in clinical practice. However, the measurement properties of the remote version applied by videoconferencing were unknown. This study's results demonstrate the validity and reliability of the Tele-FMA for assessing poststroke motor impairment remotely via videoconferencing. The Tele-FMA may be used to implement telerehabilitation in clinical practice.

Barriers to self-administered home-based task-oriented practice post-stroke: development and content validity of a new instrument.

PURPOSE: To develop a new instrument to identify barriers to self-administered home-based task-oriented practice post-stroke and test its content validity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of individuals with stroke and neurological rehabilitation professionals. The study consisted of two steps: (1) Instrument development, involving three processes; a data search in the literature, interviews with the target population and an open questionnaire (online) sent to professionals; and (2) Testing the content validity of the instrument by asking individuals with stroke and professionals about the comprehensiveness and relevance of the items and additionally asking individuals with stroke about the comprehensibility of the items. For each item in the instrument, the threshold validity scores were ≥0.80 in the Content Validity Index and ≥0.75 for the Kappa agreement. RESULTS: The preliminary version was developed with 46 items. The content validation was performed in three rounds. The last version of the instrument Barriers to self-administered home-based task-oriented practice post-stroke (BASH-TOP-Stroke) contained 34 items in five response categories, in which the higher the value presented, the greater the number of barriers. The content validity for the items was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides a new instrument to help identify barriers to self-administered home-based task-oriented practice post-stroke.

Barriers to self-administered task-oriented home-based exercises can be specific to this form of practice.Understanding barriers to self-administered task-oriented home-based exercises is essential to increase the amount of practice for optimizing motor recovery.The Barriers to self-administered home-based task-oriented practice post-stroke (BASH-TOP-Stroke) questionnaire was developed to evaluate barriers to self-administered task-oriented home-based exercises in individuals post-stroke.BASH-TOP-Stroke has excellent content validity based on patients and professionals and could help to identify strategies that may reduce barriers to self-administered home-based task-oriented practice after stroke.

Shoulder complex and trunk coordination of individuals with severe hemiparesis following a constraint-induced movement therapy protocol: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) has been shown to be an effective rehabilitation technique in individuals with mild and moderate upper limb (UL) hemiparesis. The aim was to evaluate the effect the CIMT for improving paretic UL use and interjoint coordination with individuals in severe hemiparesis. METHODS: Six individuals with severe chronic hemiparesis (mean age = 55 ± 16 years) received a UL CIMT intervention for 2 weeks. UL clinical assessments were conducted five times: two assessments at pre-intervention and then, one assessment at post-intervention and 1- and 3-month follow-up using the Graded Motor Activity Log GMAL) and the Graded Wolf Motor Function Test (GWMFT). Scapula, humerus and trunk coordination variability were assessed using the 3-D kinematics during arm elevation, combing hair, turning on the switch and grasp a washcloth. A paired t-test was used to check differences between coordination variability and a one-way ANOVA repeated measures was used to check differences between GMAL and GWMFT scores. RESULTS: There were no differences in GMAL and GWMFT between the patient screening and the baseline data collection (p > 0.05). GMAL scores increased at post-intervention and at follow-ups (p < 0.02). GWMFT performance time score decreased at post-intervention and at 1-month follow-up (p < 0.04). Improvements in kinematic variability of the paretic UL at pre and post-intervention were observed in all tasks, except in the activity of turn on the light switch. CONCLUSION: Following the CIMT protocol, improvements in GMAL and GWMFT scores may reflect improvements in paretic UL performance, in real-life environment. Improvements in kinematic variability may reflect an improving of UL interjoint coordination for individuals with chronic severe hemiparesis.

Bilateral capacity is related to bilateral upper limb use after stroke: a study by behavioral maps, accelerometers and perceived amount of use.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the following in individuals after stroke: (1) relationship between upper limb (UL) use by direct observation at home with use perceived and measured by accelerometers; (2) complementarity of these three measurements; and (3) relationship between UL bilateral capacity and bilateral use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one individuals with chronic hemiparesis participated in this cross-sectional study. UL use was assessed using a behavioral map (BM), the Motor Activity Log-Amount of Use (MAL-AOU), and accelerometers, while UL capacity was assessed using the Test d'Evaluation des Membres Supérieurs des Personnes Âgées (TEMPA). RESULTS: The BM was strongly correlated with perceived use (MAL-AOU, ρ = 0.76) and accelerometer (ρ = 0.70). Bilateral UL use (BM) was moderately (ρ = 0.65) correlated with bilateral MAL-AOU and bilateral use by accelerometers (ρ = 0.62). The BM aided our understanding of how the paretic UL was used. The correlation between bilateral capacity (TEMPA bilateral) and bilateral use (BM) was significant (ρ = 0.49), while that with bilateral MAL-AOU and accelerometer were ρ = 0.68 and ρ = 0.50, respectively. CONCLUSION: A BM is a valid way to quantify UL use and can complement information assessed regarding perceived use and by accelerometers.Implications for rehabilitationBehavioral maps may be valuable to complement information assessed by perceived UL use and accelerometers.Quantifying bilateral capacity will reflect in a better understanding of actual paretic UL use after stroke.Accelerometers can underestimate the amount of paretic UL use in asymmetrical bilateral tasks.

Upper extremity function in stroke subjects: relationships between the international classification of functioning, disability, and health domains.

UNLABELLED: Upper limb (UL) impairments are the most common disabling deficits after stroke and have complex relationships with activity and participation domains. However, relatively few studies have applied the ICF model to identify the contributions of specific UL impairments, such as muscular weakness, pain, and sensory loss, as predictors of activity and participation. The purposes of this predictive study were to evaluate the relationships between UL variables related to body functions/structures, activity, and participation domains and to determine which would best explain activity and participation with 55 subjects with chronic stroke. Body functions/structures were assessed by measures of grip, pinch, and UL strength, finger tactile sensations, shoulder pain, and cognition (MMSE); activity domain by measures of observed performance (BBT, NHPT, and TEMPA); and participation by measures of quality of life (SSQOL). Upper-limb and grip strength were related to all activity measures (0.52

Skilled forelimb reaching in Wistar rats: evaluation by means of Montoya staircase test.

Experimental animals have been used as models for several neurological disorders; their performance in behavioral tests is useful in determining the success of lesion repair procedures and assessing functional recovery. The staircase test is a behavioral test that consists in reaching for food inside a special box and allows for a sensitive measure of skilled reaching by each limb in an independent manner. In most laboratories in the south of Brazil, Wistar rats are used for the study of experimental stroke, hypoxia and peripheral neuropathy, but most studies with the staircase test have used other strains such as Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans. Because skilled reaching, grasping and performance can differ among strains, the purpose of the present study was to characterize the performance of Wistar rats in the staircase test and determine the effect of median and ulnar nerve crush. Our results with Wistar rats on the staircase test showed that: similar to other strains, Wistar animals can display high performance after 2 weeks of training; the number of animals that attained the inclusion criterion increased by 10% with longer times of training; the stricter criterion of 15 pellets taken can be adopted as study inclusion criterion; the test has an unquestionable value in assessing lateralized deficits, as evidenced by the lack of performance deficit of the non-manipulated forelimb at any time point. These results extend the understanding about the performance of Wistar rats in the staircase test, which will be used for the best training and research using this strain.

Hand function and type of grasp used by chronic stroke individuals in actual environment.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of paretic upper limb (UL) use in the actual environment is crucial for defining treatment strategies that are likely to enhance performance. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the hand function and type of grasp performed in the actual environment following stroke and determine if any differences in hand use are dependent on the degree of motor impairment. METHOD: This cross-sectional study enrolled 41 participants with chronic hemiparesis classified as having either mild (11), moderate (20), or severe (10) UL impairment. A behavioral map was used while observing hand use over the 4-h experimental period, during which we checked: activity- unimanual, bimanual or non-task-related; hand function- stabilization, manipulation, reach-to-grasp, gesture, support or push; and type of grasp- digital or whole-hand. RESULTS: Participants with severe impairment did not use the paretic UL spontaneously; analyzing the moderate and mild subgroup together, the predominant UL hand functions were stabilization and manipulation, the paretic UL performs the stabilization function using the whole-hand more frequently (71.2%) than digital (28.8%) grasp. In the subgroup analysis, the paretic and non-paretic UL in the moderate and the paretic UL in the mild subgroup perform the whole-hand stabilization more frequently than digital. Digital grasp is more accomplished by the non-paretic UL in reach-to-grasp hand function, particularly in the mild subgroup. CONCLUSION: The paretic UL is predominantly employed for stabilization function using a whole-hand grasp. The type of grasp in the actual environment is affected by motor impairment, and greater motor impairment leads to the performance of less complex tasks.

The kinematics of paretic lower limb in aquatic gait with equipment in people with post-stroke hemiparesis.

BACKGROUND: Devices are commonly used in aquatic gait rehabilitation; therefore, investigating the effect of these devices is important. We evaluated the combined use of buoyancy cuffs and ankle weights during aquatic gait on paretic leg kinematics in people with hemiparesis. METHODS: Fifteen adults (58.6 ±â€¯4.8 years) in the chronic phase post-stroke walked on a 4.5 m walkway with underwater immersion at the height of the xiphoid process in five conditions: (1) without equipment; (2) with ankle weights or (3) buoyancy cuffs on both legs; (4) with a buoyancy leg cuff on the non-paretic leg and an ankle weight on the paretic leg; (5) with an ankle weight on the non-paretic leg and a buoyancy leg cuff on the paretic leg. Five trials were performed for each condition for a total of 25 trials and the kinematic data were recorded. Analysis of covariance was used with walking velocity as a covariate to analyze spatiotemporal and angular variables of the paretic leg. FINDINGS: The condition with buoyancy cuff on the paretic leg increased (~20°) the maximum angle of knee flexion in the mid-swing phase compared to that seen with weights on both legs or weight on the paretic leg. Buoyancy cuffs on the paretic leg increased the step length by 5.6 cm. The ankle weights on the paretic leg condition increased the total (6%) and single support (4%) duration compared to that seen with a buoyancy cuff on the paretic leg. INTERPRETATION: Aquatic gait with buoyancy cuffs on both legs or on the paretic leg can modify gait kinematics compared to that with weight on both legs or on the paretic leg. Long term effects of training with those conditions needs further research.

Cryotherapy reduces muscle hypertonia, but does not affect lower limb strength or gait kinematics post-stroke: a randomized controlled crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Based on the premise that spasticity might affect gait post-stroke, cryotherapy is among the techniques used to temporarily reduce spasticity in neurological patients. This effective technique would enhance muscle performance, and ultimately, functional training, such as walking. However, understanding whether a decrease in spasticity level, if any, would lead to improving muscle performance and gait parameters is not based on evidence and needs to be clarified. OBJECTIVES: to investigate the immediate effects of cryotherapy, applied to spastic plantarflexor muscles of subjects post-stroke, on tonus level, torque generation capacity of plantarflexors and dorsiflexors, and angular/spatiotemporal gait parameters. METHODS: Sixteen chronic hemiparetic subjects participated in this randomized controlled crossover study. Cryotherapy (ice pack) or Control (room temperature sand pack) were applied to the calf muscles of the paretic limb. The measurements taken (before and immediately after intervention) were: 1) Tonus according to the Modified Ashworth Scale; 2) Torque assessments were performed using an isokinetic dynamometer; and 3) Spatiotemporal and angular kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle (flexion/extension), obtained using a tridimensional movement analysis system (Qualisys). RESULTS: Cryotherapy decreased plantarflexor tonus but did not change muscle torque generation capacity and did not affect spatiotemporal or angular parameters during gait compared to control application. These findings contribute to the evidence-based approach to clinical rehabilitation post-stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that cryotherapy applied to the calf muscles of subjects with chronic hemiparesis reduces muscle hypertonia but does not improve dorsiflexors and plantarflexors performance and gait parameters.

Task-specific training with trunk restraint on arm recovery in stroke: randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Task-specific training improves functional outcomes after stroke. However, gains may be accompanied by increases in movements compensating for motor impairments. We hypothesized that restriction of compensatory trunk movements may encourage recovery of premorbid movement patterns leading to better functional outcomes. The goal was to determine whether task-specific training with trunk-restraint (TR) produces greater improvements in arm impairment and function than training without TR in patients with chronic hemiparesis. METHODS: Double-blind randomized control trial of a therapist-supervised home program (3 times per week, 5 weeks) in 30 patients with chronic hemiparesis stratified by arm impairment level (Fugl-Meyer) was performed. Intervention group (TR group) received progressive object-related reach-to-grasp training with prevention of trunk movements. Control group (C) practiced tasks without TR. Main outcome measures were upper limb impairment (Fugl-Meyer Arm Section) and function (TEMPA) and movement kinematics (trunk displacement, elbow extension; Optotrak, 10 trials) of a reach-to-grasp movement. Evaluations were repeated before, immediately after, and 1 month postintervention by blind evaluators. RESULTS: TR training led to greater improvements in impairment and function compared with C. Improvements were accompanied by increased active joint range and were greater in initially more severe patients. In these patients, TR decreased trunk movement and increased elbow extension, whereas C had opposite effects (increased compensatory movements). In TR, changes in arm function were correlated with changes in arm and trunk kinematics. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment should be tailored to arm impairment severity with particular attention to controlling excessive trunk movements if the goal is to improve arm movement quality and function.

Feasibility and effectiveness of adding object-related bilateral symmetrical training to mirror therapy in chronic stroke: A randomized controlled pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of adding object-related bilateral symmetrical training to mirror therapy (MT) to improve upper limb (UL) activity in chronic stroke patients. METHOD: Sixteen patients with moderate UL impairment were randomly allocated to either the experimental (EG) or control (CG) group. Both groups performed 1 hour sessions, 3 days/week for 4 weeks, involving object-related bilateral symmetrical training. EG performed the tasks observing their nonparetic UL reflected in the mirror, while CG observed the paretic UL directly. The primary outcome measure was unilateral and bilateral UL activity according to the Test d'Évaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Âgées (TEMPA). All measurements were taken at baseline, post-training, and follow-up (2 weeks). RESULTS: TEMPA total score showed the main effect of time. Significant improvement was found for bilateral but not unilateral tasks. Both groups showed gains after training, with no differences between them. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the feasibility of adding object-related bilateral training to MT. Both types of training improved UL bilateral activity; however, a larger sample is required for a definitive study. Other studies need to be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of combining more distal-oriented movements and object-related unilateral training to improve these effects in chronic stroke patients.

Movement adjustments in preparation for single-leg jumps in individuals with functional ankle instability.

There is some evidence showing that people with functional ankle instability (FAI) can present changes in postural control during the landing phase of a jump. These studies also show preliminary results indicating possible changes during phases prior to landing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether movement adjustments prior to a jump are different between people with and without FAI. Sixty participants with (n=30) and without (n=30) FAI participated in this study. The main outcome measures were the variability of range of motion in ankle inversion/eversion and dorsiflexion/plantarflexion; and variability of center of pressure for the directions anterior-posterior and medio-lateral during the pre-jump period for drop jump, vertical jump and during single-leg stance. The group with instability showed more variability of center of pressure in anterior-posterior direction (p=0.04) and variability of range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion (p=0.04) compared to control in the single-leg stance test. For the within-group comparisons, the group with instability showed more variability of center of pressure in anterior-posterior direction in the drop jump higher than single-leg stance and vertical jump. The same pattern was seen for the control group. Thus, this study suggests that people with FAI have greater ankle range of motion variability and center of pressure variability in the anterior-posterior axis when compared to healthy individuals during single-leg stance. For those same two variables, preparation for a drop jump causes more postural instability when compared to the preparation for a vertical jump and to single-leg stance.

Effect of backward walking treadmill training on walking capacity after stroke: a randomized clinical trial.

RATIONALE: Residual walking deficits are common in people after stroke. Treadmill training can increase walking speed and walking distance. A new way to increase the challenge of walking is to walk backwards. Backward treadmill walking may provide advantages by promoting improvement in balance, walking spatiotemporal parameters and quality that may reflect in improving walking distance. AIM: This study will test the hypothesis that backward treadmill walking is superior to forward treadmill walking in improving walking capacity, walking parameters, quality and balance in people with stroke. DESIGN: A prospective, single-blinded, randomized trial will randomly allocate 88 community-dwelling people after stroke into either an experimental or control group. The experimental group will undertake 30-min sessions of backward treadmill walking, three-days/week for six-weeks, while the control group will undertake the same dose of forward treadmill walking. Training will begin at the baseline overground walking speed and will increase each week by 10% of baseline speed. STUDY OUTCOMES: The primary outcome will be distance walked in the 6-min Walk Test. Secondary outcomes will be walking speed, step length, cadence, and one-leg stance time. Outcomes will be collected by a researcher blinded to group allocation at baseline (Week 0), at the end of training period (Week 6), and three-months after the cessation of intervention (Week 18). DISCUSSION: If backward treadmill walking can improve walking capacity more than forward treadmill training in stroke, it may have broader implications because walking capacity has been shown to predict physical activity level and community participation.

The activity assessment instruments of the upper limbs do contemplate the most accomplished tasks at home by people with hemiparesis? / Os instrumentos de avaliação de atividade dos membros superiores contemplam as tarefas mais realizadas em domicílio por pessoas com hemiparesia?

Abstract Introduction: There is still no consensus on the recommendation of instruments for evaluation of the upper limb (UL) after Stroke. Objective: Identify the tasks most performed at home by people after stroke, and among these, which are contemplated in the instruments of assessments of UL activity identified in the literature. Method: Direct observation during four hours at the home of 40 participants (57,2±13,0 years old) with hemiparesis, the basic activities of daily life (BADL) and instrumental (IADL) were recorded, identifying those performed by a larger number of participants. Results: From the 247 observed tasks, 70,5% were related to IADL. In the literature we identified six instruments of capacity evaluation: Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT); Action Research Arm Test (ARAT); Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI); JEBSEN-TAYLOR; Test d'Evaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Agées (TEMPA) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and four Performance: Motor Activity Log (MAL); Manual Ability Measure (MAM-16 and MAM-36) and ABILHAND. Of the 64 tasks performed by a larger number of participants, the capacity instrument that contemplated the largest number of these was CAHAI (15%) and performance was MAL (33%). The instruments with the greater proportion of tasks observed at home in relation to the total number of the instrument were the TEMPA (all eight) and the MAL (21/30) tasks. Conclusion: Performance instruments contemplate greater proportion of tasks observed directly at home, however the capacity instruments assess distinct tasks. The combination of capacity and performance tools for UL assessment in this population is recommended.

Resumo Introdução: Ainda não há consenso sobre a recomendação de instrumentos para avaliação do membro superior (MS) pós-Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). Objetivo: Identificar as tarefas realizadas no domicílio por pessoas pós-AVE e, dentre estas, quais estão contempladas nos instrumentos de avaliação de atividade do MS identificados na literatura. Método: Por observação direta, durante quatro horas no domicílio de 40 participantes (57,2±13,0 anos) com hemiparesia, foram registradas as atividades básicas de vida diária (ABVD) e instrumentais (AIVD), identificando aquelas executadas por maior número de participantes. Resultados: Das 247 tarefas observadas, 70,5% foram relacionadas às AIVD. Na literatura, identificamos seis instrumentos de avaliação da capacidade: Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT); Action Research Arm Test (ARAT); Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI); JEBSEN-TAYLOR; Test d'Evaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Agées (TEMPA) e Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), e quatro de desempenho: Motor Activity Log (MAL); Manual Ability Measure (MAM-16 e MAM-36) e ABILHAND. Dentre as 64 tarefas realizadas por um maior número de participantes, o instrumento de capacidade que contemplou maior número destas foi o CAHAI (15%) e de desempenho foi o MAL (33%). Os instrumentos com maior proporção de tarefas observadas em domicílio, em relação ao número total do instrumento, foram o TEMPA (todas as oito) e o MAL (21/30 tarefas). Conclusão: Os instrumentos de desempenho contemplam maior proporção das tarefas observadas em domicílio, entretanto os instrumentos de capacidade avaliam tarefas distintas destas. Recomenda-se a combinação de instrumentos de capacidade e desempenho para avaliação do MS nessa população.

Effects of trunk restraint in addition to home-based modified constraint-induced movement therapy after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

RATIONALE: Upper limb deficits contribute to disabilities after stroke, and constraint-induced movement therapy has been recommended to improve functional activity. People with stroke excessively move their trunk when reaching and grasping objects. Therefore, trunk restraints in addition to constraint-induced movement therapy may provide advantages over constraint-induced movement therapy alone by promoting both increases in upper limb use and movement recovery. Although a pilot study has previously evaluated this combination, the assessors were not blinded, thus compromising the validity of the results. AIM: This study will test the hypothesis that home-based constraint-induced movement therapy plus trunk restraints are superior to constraint-induced movement therapy alone in improving strength, function, and participation with chronic stroke patients. DESIGN: For this prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial, people after stroke will be randomly allocated into either experimental or control groups. The experimental group will undertake three-hours/day of modified constraint-induced movement therapy plus trunk restraints to prevent trunk displacements, five-days/week over two-weeks, while the control group only will undertake the same doses of modified constraint-induced movement therapy. At baseline, after two-weeks of interventions, and four and 12 weeks after the cessation of the interventions, researchers blinded to group allocations will collect outcome measures. The interventions will be delivered in the individuals' homes by trained physical therapists. The constraint-induced movement therapy will include shaping, task practice, and the transfer packages. STUDY OUTCOMES: Primary outcomes will be the upper limb function (referred amounts and quality of movement). Secondary outcomes will be measured for levels of impairments (strength and dexterity), activity (reaching kinematics and observed upper limb function), and levels of participation (quality of life).

Vertical reaction forces and kinematics of backward walking underwater.

The aim of this study was to compare the first and second peaks of the vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and kinematics at initial contact (IC) and final stance (FS) during walking in one of two directions (forward×backward) and two environments (on land×underwater). Twenty-two adults (24.6±2.6 years) walking forward (FW) and backward (BW) on a 7.5m walkway with a central force plate. Underwater immersion was at the height of the Xiphoid process. Ten trials were performed for each condition giving a total of 40 trials where the VGRF and kinematic data were recorded. Two-way repeated measures analysis of covariance was used with a combination of environment and direction of walking: FW on land, FW underwater, BW on land and BW underwater (entered as between-subjects factor) and repeated measures of VGRF peaks (first and second) or angles (at IC and FS). Walking velocity was included as a covariate. Both VGRF peaks were reduced when participants walked underwater compared to on land (p<.001). For BW, in both environments, the second peak was lower than the first (p<.001; for both). During BW at IC the ankle is more dorsiflexed and the knee is more flexed, both on land and underwater. At FS, there was no difference between the ankle angle for FW and BW in both environments. At IC, in FW and BW the knee and hip are more flexed underwater. BW underwater involves a lower VGRF and more knee and hip flexion than BW on land.