Article

Patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) experience considerable variability
in their purposeful movements due to involuntary movements that contribute to
functional impairment. Movement analyses can demonstrate how the movements
involved in bringing a mug to the mouth are performed by patients with DCP.
Sixteen adults with DCP (29.63+/-4.42 years) and eleven healthy adults
(24.09+/-3.73 years) performed six consecutive movements of bringing a mug to the
mouth using their dominant arm. The mug was placed at 75% of each subject's
maximum reach. Kinematic data were captured by 10 cameras and processed using
biomechanical software. Fifteen reflexive markers were placed on predetermined
bony landmarks on the head, trunk and upper limbs. DCP adults required more time
to perform the going (bringing the mug to the mouth), adjusting (simulating
taking a drink) and returning (lowering the mug back to the table) phases, and
their movements were less smooth than the controls, as indicated by the index of
curvature, average jerk and number of movement units. The DCP adults took a
longer time to complete the task than controls as indicated by the peak
velocities, mean velocities and times to peak velocity. With respect to the
angular parameters, DCP adults had a smaller range of motion for shoulder and
elbow flexion and forearm pronation compared with the controls. The analysis of
functional tasks represents an important measure for the evaluation of dyskinetic
movements and permits the quantitative characterization of upper limb impairment
in adults with DCP.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS