Article

Kinematic analysis is commonly used to objectively measure upper
extremity movement performance after stroke. However, the concurrent validity and
predictive validity of arm-trunk kinematics during reaching within and beyond
arm's length have not been studied. The aim of this study was to
estimate the concurrent validity of kinematic measures before and after treatment
and the predictive validity for reaching within and beyond arm's length after
stroke. DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis study. METHODS: Ninety-seven
participants with stroke (mean age=55.9 years [SD=10.9]) received intensive
treatment every weekday for 3 to 4 weeks. Kinematic reaching tasks and the Wolf
Motor Function Test (WMFT) were used before and after treatment. The validity of
the kinematic measures was estimated in relation to WMFT scores. RESULTS: Of the
8 kinematic variables that were measured, index movement time before treatment
(R(2)=.227-.362) and trunk movement time and trunk displacement after treatment
(R(2)=.095-.346) had the strongest association with the WMFT at both reaching
distances. Trunk movement time and trunk displacement before treatment explained
6.9% to 14.9% of the variance in the WMFT after treatment. Kinematic variables
explained 6.9% to 49.3% and 9.4% to 38.7% of the variance in the WMFT during a
task within arm's length and beyond arm's length, respectively. LIMITATIONS: The
study has limited generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Different kinematic variables
may partially reflect motor function before and after treatment to a limited
degree. Although the predictive validity was modest, trunk movement may be
considered a prognostic determinant of motor function after treatment. A reaching
task within arm's length may be a more suitable measure of kinematic performance
for describing motor function than a reaching task beyond arm's length.
CI - (c) 2014 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS