Article

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of target distance
(within vs. beyond arm's length) on arm and trunk movements during symmetric
bilateral reaching in patients with stroke. DESIGN:
Eighteen stroke patients and
18 age-matched control participants reached bilaterally to press desk bells
placed at 90% and 125% of arm's length. The kinematics of paretic arm and trunk
movements and trunk contribution slopes were measured in the start, mid, and end
phases of reaching. RESULTS: Target distance significantly affected arm (shoulder
flexion and abduction, elbow extension) and trunk (flexion, rotation, and lateral
shift) movements in patients with stroke. Significant group differences were also
found in trunk contribution slopes in the start and mid phases of reaching to
targets beyond arm's length. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral reaching for targets beyond
arm's length may increase shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, elbow extension,
and trunk flexion, but it may also induce unsymmetric trunk rotation and lateral
shift to the paretic side, as well as early and excessive trunk contributions in
patients with stroke. The findings suggest that for beyond-arm-length reaching,
therapists may restrain the trunk until the end phase of reaching and prevent
trunk rotation and lateral shift to the paretic side.

Langue : ANGLAIS