AIMS: The main purpose of this study was to determine the changes in kinematic parameters of ischemic stroke affected upper limbs, during simple functional activity, to determine the most relevant changes. METHODS: The OptiTrack system was used for motion capture. To determine upper extremity function in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) tasks. During particular phases, the following matrices were chosen: mean and peak speed, normalized movement unit, normalized jerk and phase movement time. The chosen matrices represent the speed and smoothness profile of end-point data. The the arm-trunk compensation was also taken into consideration. Twenty stroke patients, in early (G1 from 1 to 3 months after stroke) and chronic stage (G2 from 6 months to 1 year), were studied. The large and small cylinder forward and back transporting phases were evaluated. RESULTS: The most significant differences between groups G1 and G2 were in mean and peak speed of the forward transport of the large and small cylinders for the paretic limb. Significant differences were also found for the smoothness (measured by movement unit, mean and peak speed and jerk) where the G2 group had a rougher motion. There were also differences in arm-trunk compensation in the frontal plane. CONCLUSION: The variables used in the study showed applicability in assessing kinematic parameters in both the early and chronic period after stroke.

Academy of Physical Education ul Mikolowska 72a 40 065 Katowice Poland

Department of Physical Education and Sport Faculty of Education J E Purkyne University Usti nad Labem Czech Republic

Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy Opole University of Technology 45 758 Opole Proszkowska 76 Poland

Institute of Informatics Silesian University of Technology 44 100 Gliwice Akademicka 16 Poland

Citace poskytuje Crossref.org

Quantitative Assessment of Upper Limb Movement in Post-Stroke Adults for Identification of Sensitive Measures in Reaching and Lifting Activities