Article

Movement is described in terms of task-related end point
characteristics in external space and movement quality (joint rotations in body
space). Assessment of upper-limb (UL) movement quality can assist therapists in
designing effective treatment approaches for retraining lost motor elements and
provide more detailed measurements of UL motor improvements over time. OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which current activity level outcome measures used in
neurological practice assess UL movement quality.
METHODS: Outcome measures
assessing arm/hand function at the International Classification of Function
activity level recommended by neurological clinical practice guidelines were
reviewed. Measures assessing the UL as part of a general mobility assessment,
those strictly evaluating body function/structure or participation, and
paediatric measures were excluded. RESULTS: In all, 15 activity level outcome
measures were identified; 9 measures assess how movement is performed by
measuring either end point characteristics or movement quality. However, except
for the Reaching Performance Scale for Stroke and the Motor Evaluation Scale for
Upper Extremity in Stroke Patients, these measures only account for deficits
indirectly by giving a partial score if movements are slower or if the person
experiences difficulties. Six outcome measures neither assess any parameters
related to movement quality, nor distinguish between improvements resulting from
motor compensation or recovery of desired movement strategies. CONCLUSION:
Current activity measures may not distinguish recovery from compensation and
adequately track changes in movement quality over time. Movement quality may be
incorporated into clinical assessment using observational kinematics with or
without low-cost motion tracking technology.

Langue : ANGLAIS