Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the kinematics and muscle activity of subjects with
facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and healthy control subjects during the
performance of standardized upper extremity tasks. DESIGN: Exploratory
case-control study. SETTING: A movement laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects (N=19)
with FSHD (n=11) and healthy control subjects (n=8) were measured. INTERVENTIONS:
Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Kinematic data were recorded using a
3-dimensional motion capturing system. Muscle activities, recorded using
electromyography, were obtained from 6 superficial muscles around the
glenohumeral joint. Shoulder elevation and elbow flexion angles, and maximum
electromyographic activity during the movements as a percentage of maximum
voluntary contraction (MVC) were calculated. RESULTS: Kinematic differences
between the FSHD group and the healthy control group were found in the shoulder
elevation angle during single shoulder movements and both reaching tasks. In
general, subjects with FSHD had higher percentages of muscle activation. The
median activity of the trapezius was close to the MVC activity during the single
shoulder movements. Moreover, deltoid and pectoralis muscles were also highly
active. CONCLUSIONS: Higher activation of the trapezius in subjects with FSHD
indicates a mechanism that could help relieve impaired shoulder muscles during
arm elevation around shoulder height. Compared with healthy subjects, persons
with FSHD activated their shoulder muscles to a greater extent during movements
that required arm elevation.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS