Article

Many interventions in upper-limb rehabilitation after cervical spinal cord injury
(CSCI) use arm support (gravity compensation); however, its specific effects on
kinematics and muscle activation characteristics in subjects with a CSCI are
largely unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional explorative study to study these
effects. Nine subjects with a CSCI performed two goal-directed arm movements
(maximal reach, reach and retrieval) with and without gravity compensation.
Angles at elbow and shoulder joints and muscle activation were measured and
compared. Seven subjects reduced elbow extension (range 1.8 degrees -4.5 degrees
) during the maximal reaching task with gravity compensation. In the reach and
retrieval task with gravity compensation, all subjects decreased elbow extension
(range 0.1 degrees -11.0 degrees ). Eight subjects executed movement closer to
the body. Regarding muscle activation, gravity compensation did not influence
timing; however, the amplitude of activation decreased, especially in antigravity
muscles, namely mean change +/- standard deviation of descending part of
trapezius (18.2% +/- 37.5%), anterior part of deltoid (37.7% +/- 16.7%),
posterior part of deltoid (32.0% +/- 13.9%), and long head biceps (49.6% +/-
20.0%). Clinical implications for the use of gravity compensation in
rehabilitation (during activities of daily living or exercise therapy) should be
further investigated with a larger population.

Langue : ANGLAIS