Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recovery pattern of bilateral upper extremity
muscle strength and to predict the recovery of strength early after stroke using
a logarithmic regression model. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one
inpatients with post-stroke hemiparesis were enrolled. The mean time after stroke
event was 7.1 days (standard deviation (SD) 3.5 days). METHODS: Bilateral elbow
flexion and extension strengths were assessed separately with a hand-held
dynamometer.Grip strength was also assessed with a Jamar dynamometer.These
measurements were carried out on 4 occasions: baseline assessment within 2 weeks
following stroke onset, and at weeks 1, 2 and 3 following baseline evaluation.
Recovery off lexion and extension strengths was predicted using a logarithmic
model using scores at the initial 2 evaluations. RESULTS: The time course of
recovery for bilateral upper extremities resembled a logarithmic function.
Moreover, on the basis of a logarithmic regression model, baseline measures of
bilateral strengths sampled from 2 time-points during recovery could be applied
to predict the pattern of recovery accurately during the subacute stroke phase
(R(2) = 0.74-0.95,p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Upper extremity muscle strength
improved significantly in a similar pattern on the sides contralateral and
ipsilateral to the brain lesion. Moreover, a logarithmic regression model
accurately predicted both measures.

Langue : ANGLAIS