Article

Kinematic analysis is a powerful method for an objective assessment
of movements and is increasingly used as an outcome measure after stroke. Little
is known about how the actual movement performance measured with kinematics is
related to the common traditional assessment scales.
The aim of this study was to
determine the relationships between movement kinematics from a drinking task and
the impairment or activity limitation level after stroke. METHODS: Kinematic
analysis of movement performance in a drinking task was used to measure movement
time, smoothness, and angular velocity of elbow and trunk displacement (TD) in 30
individuals with stroke. Sensorimotor impairment was assessed with the Fugl-Meyer
Assessment (FMA), activity capacity limitation with the Action Research Arm Test
(ARAT), and self-perceived activity difficulties with the ABILHAND questionnaire.
RESULTS: Backward multiple regression revealed that the movement smoothness
(similarly to movement time) and TD together explain 67% of the total variance in
ARAT. Both variables uniquely contributed 37% and 11%, respectively. The TD alone
explained 20% of the variance in the FMA, and movement smoothness explained 6% of
the variance in the ABILHAND. CONCLUSIONS: The kinematic movement performance
measures obtained during a drinking task are more strongly associated with
activity capacity than with impairment. The movement smoothness and time,
possibly together with compensatory movement of the trunk, are valid measures of
activity capacity and can be considered as key variables in the evaluation of
upper-extremity function after stroke. This increased knowledge is of great value
for better interpretation and application of kinematic data in clinical studies.

Langue : ANGLAIS