Article

There is increasing demand for a standardised and reliable protocol
for the objective assessment of upper limb motion in clinical populations.
This paper describes the repeatability of a three-dimensional (3D) kinematic model and
protocol to assess upper limb movement for children with and without cerebral
palsy (CP). METHODS: Ten typically developing (TD) children (m=10.5years+/-1.18)
and seven children with CP (spastic hemiplegia) (m=11.14years+/-1.86) completed
upper limb motion analysis on two occasions separated by at least one week.
Participants performed three trials of four functional tasks, where 3D joint
angles were calculated at the thorax, shoulder, elbow and wrist. Within and
between-day repeatability was assessed using coefficients of multiple
determination (CMD). FINDINGS: There were distinct kinematic patterns for both
groups for each functional task. In relation to their peers, children with CP
consistently displayed reduced elbow extension, and compensatory patterns at the
shoulder and thorax. High within and between-day CMD scores were revealed for
specific rotations, with the highest being obtained at joints with large ranges
of motion. INTERPRETATION: The chosen tasks delineate the upper limb kinematic
patterns of those with and without CP. The model has high within and between-day
repeatability particularly where joint rotations demonstrate a large range of movement. 3D motion analysis is a feasible assessment tool for use with clinical populations.
CI - Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS