Psychomotor performance after short-term anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the immediate effects of short-term anaesthesia on the different components of psychomotor performance of the upper extremity and cognitive functions, and to find out if there were any differences in the sensitivities of the different tests. The measured psychomotor aspects were simple reaction time, choice reaction time, speed of movement, index finger-tapping speed, co-ordination, visual spatial memory capacity, digit-symbol substitution and the Maddox Wing test. METHODS: The subjects were 30 female patients aged 24-50 yr who had been through a minor gynaecological operation. Anaesthesia had been induced with propofol and alfentanil. The measurements were mainly made with the HPM/BEP system, and the tests were performed 1 h before the anaesthesia and immediately after the wake-up. RESULTS: Short-term anaesthesia prolonged the simple reaction time by 7% and the choice reaction times by 25% (one-choice) and 7% (two-choice) and decreased the speed of movement by 10% (one-choice) and 19% (two-choice), index finger-tapping speed by 7% and co-ordination by 7%. In addition, visual spatial memory capacity decreased by 21%, digit-symbol substitution increased by 5% and the Maddox Wing test increased by 68%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, it seems that short-term anaesthesia reduces both signal processing at the central level, and motor control and co-ordination of movements at the peripheral level, and has a decreasing effect on motor performance in the above-mentioned aspects measured immediately after wake-up.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness and motor performance of the upper extremity.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of delayed-onset muscle soreness after a strength-training session on the motor performance of the upper extremities, including the reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed and coordination. In addition, muscle strength, electromyographic (EMG) activity, creatine kinase (CK) and soreness responses were measured. The study was a randomised cross-over intervention study, where 30 subjects (divided into two groups, A and B) performed a 1-h muscle strength-training session of the upper extremities, and the responses were measured 48 h after that. All of the subjects experienced muscle soreness, which was evaluated on a visual analogue scale. The mean value of CK activity was 115 IU.l-1 before training and 1259 IU.l-1 after training (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in wrist flexion/extension muscle strength or EMG tests in either group. Isometric elbow extension strength decreased by 4% (P < 0.01) in group A, and elbow flexion strength decreased by 6% (P < 0.05) in group B. There were no statistically significant changes in simple reaction time, choice reaction time, or speed of movement or coordination in either group. However, tapping speed decreased by 2% (P < 0.05) in group A and by 6% (P < 0.001) in group B. Based on the results of this study, it seems that the feeling of incompetence to perform fast and accurate movements with sore muscles is mainly a subjective feeling, and it may be that the real effect of muscle soreness on motor performance is quite small, and presumably less than generally assumed.

Relationship between extremities in motor performance.

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the extremities in different aspects of motor performance, including simple reaction time, choice reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed, and coordination, i.e., speed of movement/accuracy. 186 healthy randomly selected right-handed subjects (93 men, 93 women; aged 21-70 years) were measured on a test battery of five tests for both hands and feet. Correlations between the extremities in motor performance were highest between hands (r=.71-.80, p<.001) or between feet (r=.57-.88, p<.001) depending on the complexity of response for all subjects. These relations remained at almost the same magnitude even when age was eliminated. Correlations between the upper and lower extremities were lower (r = .40-.62). Correlations between extremities were lower for one age group (21-30 years) than for all subjects (21-70 years). These results showed that the motor performance for the hands is not a very good indicator of the motor performance of the lower extremities, especially in a homogeneous age group, and it seems that the lower extremities should be studied with specific motor performance tests.

Motor performance of the foot after Achilles rupture repair.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine some motor performance aspects of the unloaded lower extremity after Achilles tendon rupture repair. The measured motor performance aspects were simple reaction time, choice reaction time, speed of movement, foot tapping speed, and coordination. METHODS: Ninety patients (76 men and 14 women) with total closed Achilles tendon rupture had been operated on a mean of 3.1 years before the measurements. Ninety age and gender-matched control subjects were drawn from a larger reference group from the local population. Age and gender-matched pairs were set up, and the results were compared. The measurements were made with the HPM/BEP-system, which is a multifunctional system designed to measure different motor aspects of the feet, including reaction time, movement speed, tapping speed, and coordination. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the results between the operated and non-operated lower extremities in the patient group a mean of 3.1 years after the operation. When the results were compared between the patient and control groups, no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it seems that the measured motor performance functions of the unloaded lower extremity had fully recovered after the Achilles tendon rupture repair in the above mentioned aspects, and the operated patients do not have an increased risk to get reinjury of Achilles tendon because of the lower performance of these motor functions of the lower extremity.

Motor performance of the hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the motor performance of the hand in a sample of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SUBJECTS: The patient group comprised 21 (two men, 19 women) patients with RA. Twenty one control subjects matched for age and sex were selected from a larger reference group, which had been drawn from the local population. METHODS: The measured motor performance aspects were simple reaction time, choice reaction time, speed of movement, finger tapping speed, and coordination (that is, speed of movement/accuracy). Results were compared for age and sex matched pairs. The measurements were made with the Human Performance Measurement/Basic Elements of Performance system, which is a multifunctional system designed to measure different motor aspects of the hands, including reaction time, movement speed, tapping speed, and coordination. RESULTS: A comparison of the results for the patient and control groups indicated that the motor functions of patients with RA were impaired in all the measured aspects (with the exception of the index finger tapping test). The difference between the groups varied between 11% and 21% for the reaction time tasks, between 12% and 18% for the speed of movement tasks, and between 15% and 17% for the coordination task. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our research, it seems that RA decreases some motor performance functions of the hand expressed as simple reaction time, choice reaction time, speed of movement, and coordination. The changes were emphasised in movements performed with several joints.

Relationship between calf muscle size and strength after achilles rupture repair.

The object was to study the relationships between calf muscle size and strength in 85 patients an average of 3.1 years after repair of achilles tendon rupture. The isokinetic calf muscle strength results were excellent or good for 73% of the patients, whereas calf muscle size was normal in only 30%. The average plantar flexion peak torque per unit muscle cross-sectional area was higher on the injured side than on the uninjured side. The average calf muscle cross-sectional area deficit was 15+/-9% (p<0.001) of that on the unaffected side, while the average plantar flexion peak torque deficit was speed-dependent, being 9+/-18%, 10+/-18 and 2+/-13% of that on the unaffected side at 30, 90, and 240 degrees/sec (p<0.001). The correlation between cross-sectional area and peak torque varied in the range 0.52-0.61 at 30, 90 and 240 degrees/sec (p<0.001).

Strength training for 1h in humans: effect on the motor performance of normal upper extremities.

It has been found that one session of intense muscle strength training decreases muscle strength temporarily and causes neuromuscular fatigue in the trained muscles, but little attention has been given to the effects of neuromuscular fatigue on the other components of motor performance. The purpose of this study was to examine in normal healthy volunteers the effects of a 1-h strength training session on the motor performance of the upper extremity, including reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed and coordination. Group of 30 healthy female volunteers, aged 29-47 years, were randomly divided into sub-groups, (A and B, n = 15 per group). Both groups first completed a set of motor performance tests on 3 consecutive days. On the 4th day, group A carried out a 1-h muscle strength training session of the upper extremities. Isometric muscle strengths and electromyogram (EMG) data were recorded before the training session. Immediately after the training session the same recordings were repeated, and additional motor performance tests were also performed. Group B carried out only the motor performance tests. The groups exchanged programmes the following week. The 1-h strength training session decreased the isometric muscle strength of wrist flexion by 18% (P < 0.001) and extension by 18% (P < 0.001) in group A, while in group B flexion strength decreased by 19% (P < 0.001) and extension strength by 17% (P < 0.001). All the measured EMG activations also decreased in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the results of the motor performance tests between the mean values of the three baseline measurements and the values recorded after the training session. The result was surprising, but straightforward; neuromuscular fatigue induced by a 1-h strength training session of the upper extremities had no effect on the motor performance functions of the hand, as indicated by reaction times, speed of movement, tapping speed and coordination, in these normal healthy female volunteers.

A 10-week strength training program: effect on the motor performance of an unimpaired upper extremity.

OBJECTIVE: Muscle strength training is one of the most common therapy methods in physical therapy programs, and the usual goal of this treatment is to improve muscle strength. Little attention has been paid, however, to the effects of strength training on the other components of motor performance. This study examined the effects of a 10-week strength training program on the motor performance of the hand, including reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed, and coordination in normal healthy volunteers. DESIGN: Before-after trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Sixteen healthy women volunteers aged 25 to 45 years participated. INTERVENTION: Subjects accomplished a 10-week muscle strength training program of the upper extremities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed, and coordination were measured three times on consecutive days, and muscle strength and electromyographic values of the right upper extremity were recorded once before the training period. After the training period, the same measurements were made as before the training. RESULTS: The 10-week strength training decreased choice reaction time by 6% (p < .01) and increased tapping speed by 3% (p < .01) and coordination by 5% (p < .05). Speed of movement increased, but this change was not statistically significant. All the measured isometric muscle strengths and electromyographic activations upon maximum isometric contraction increased. CONCLUSIONS: A 10-week strength training of the upper extremities increased muscle strength and some motor performance functions of the hand, including choice reaction time, tapping speed, and coordination.

Bilaterally decreased motor performance of arms in patients with chronic tennis elbow.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the motor performance of arms in patients with chronic unilateral tennis elbow. DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control study. SETTING: University hospital clinic admitting chronic hand patients. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two patients with chronic unilateral tennis elbow syndrome and 32 age- and gender-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The motor performance of arms was measured with the Human Performance Measurement/Basic Elements of Performance system using the module for hands and the protocol of the device. Reaction times, speed of movement, and coordination as a combination of speed of movement and accuracy (number of correct hits) were measured. The results were compared between patients and controls. RESULTS: Simple one-choice and two-choice reaction times were 19% to 36% slower in the patients than in the controls, and speed of movement was 31% to 32% slower in the patients than in the controls. The differences were statistically significant. The coordination results were 9.6bits/sec in the patients and 9.7bits/sec in the controls. The difference was not statistically significant. The reaction times and speed of movement did not differ significantly between the patients' involved and healthy arms. The patients' healthy arms showed significantly slower reaction times and speed of movement than the corresponding arms of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral chronic tennis elbow patients have bilaterally decreased reaction times and speed of movement of arms compared with age- and gender-matched controls. The cause for this phenomenon is unclear; the decreased motor performance may be primary and show an increased susceptibility to develop the tennis elbow syndrome or it may be a result of chronicity.

The effect of strapping on the motor performance of the ankle and wrist joints.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of strapping on different components of motor performance of wrist and ankle joints. The subjects were 14 healthy volunteers (12 females, two males), aged 21-33 years, with no known previous injuries of the ankle and wrist joints. The measurements were made with the HPM/BEP system and Isokinetic Lido Active Multi-joint system. First, the subjects performed the test without strapping and then, on the following day, with strapped right wrist and ankle joints. The strapping of the wrist increased the simple reaction time by 9%, choice reaction time by 9% and decreased the wrist tapping speed by 21%. Wrist strength decreased in flexion (180 degrees/s) by 14% and ulnar deviation (180 degrees/s) by 8%. The strapping of the ankle increased the simple reaction time by 12%, choice reaction time by 9% and decreased foot tapping speed by 14%. Ankle strength in plantar flexion decreased in 60 degrees/s by 22% and 180 degrees/s by 14% and in inversion in 60 degrees/s by 28% and 180 degrees/s by 15%. These results suggest the strapping of ankle and wrist joints reduces motor performance in the above-mentioned directions as measured by the following parameters: simple reaction time, choice reaction time, tapping speed, and muscle strength.

Influences of aging, gender, and handedness on motor performance of upper and lower extremities.

The purpose of this study was to collect reference data on different aspects of performance, including reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed, and coordination of hands and feet using Human Performance Measurement/Basic Elements of Performance equipment and reports of reference data findings. Also, the reliability of the measurements is presented. 200 healthy, randomly selected subjects (100 men, 100 women; aged 21-70 years) were categorized by gender and by age decade into ten groups. The test battery consisted of six tests for both hands and feet. In general, the performance decreased clearly after 50 years in both genders. There were statistically significant differences between hands and feet, dominant and non-dominant sides, age groups, and number of choices, and especially between men and women.

Myotonia congenita: quantitation of different aspects of motor performance.

In order to quantitatively assess the motor performance characteristics of 14 patients with congenital myotonia, the reaction time, speed of movement, synergy of different muscle groups and accuracy were measured. The Human Performance Measurement/Basic Elements of Performance device was used for recordings. Warned simple and choice reaction times (SRT, CRT) were significantly longer in the myotonic patients than in the controls. SRTs, consisting of one constant visual stimulus followed by a single movement response of the upper extremities (patients vs. controls) were 218 +/- 48 ms (mean +/- SD) and 172 +/- 12 (p = 0.0038). In the lower extremities the corresponding results were 293 +/- 46 and 239 +/- 24 (p = 0.0018). 1-CRTs, consisting of the upper extremities response to one randomized light signal (patients vs. controls) were 265 +/- 45 and 218 +/- 26 (p = 0.0069), and those of the lower extremities 337 +/- 73 and 279 +/- 39 (p = 0.0107), respectively. 2-CRTs, consisting of two possible visual stimuli in randomized order followed by a movement response of the upper extremities (patients vs. controls), were 308 +/- 54 and 249 +/- 33 (p = 0.0018), and those of the lower extremities 387 /+- 53 and 323 /+- 46 (p = 0.0028), respectively. We did not find any significant difference between the patient and the control groups in speed of movement, synergy of different muscle groups or accuracy. Nor was any significant correlation between the motor performance disability and the disease severity found.