Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate interjoint coordination in children with hemiplegia as
they reach to grasp objects, in both static and dynamic conditions. An ad hoc
robotic device was used to study the dynamic condition. DESIGN: Observational
study. PATIENTS: Six children with hemiplegia and 6 young adults.
Kinematics of the trunk and arm were studied using an optoelectronic system. In
the dynamic condition the target object, a cup, was moved by the robotic device
along clockwise and counterclockwise circular trajectories. RESULTS: Two main
strategies were used to study the onset and offset of shoulder and elbow
movements and their maximum velocities. The hand velocity profile was bell-shaped
in the static condition and compatible with ramp movements for the more affected
side in the dynamic condition. The time to object contact was higher for the more
affected side in the dynamic condition. The temporal coordination index
illustrated an immature and less flexible behaviour in children's reaching in all
the examined conditions. CONCLUSION: Study of the hand velocity profiles, the
time to object contact and the temporal coordination index highlighted, first,
the dependence of upper limb interjoint coordination on task, context, residual
resources and individual solution, and secondly, the sensory-motor deficit
characteristics of the children's more affected side during dynamic reaching,
raising the prospect of a promising training context in children with hemiplegia.

Langue : ANGLAIS