Article

Turning around is a common activity of daily living. The location of
a target may be known or unknown while angle and direction may vary prior to
turning. A stroke can compromise coordination of body movement during turning.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of target predictability, turn angle and
turn direction on the kinematic sequence of rotation of body segments in people
with stroke and healthy controls when turning on-the-spot. METHODS: Ten people
with stroke (age: 66+/-10 years; 8 males) and 10 age-matched controls (age:
65+/-8 years; 6 males) were asked to either turn to a specific light (predictable
condition) or locate and turn to a random light (unpredictable condition) placed
at 45 degrees , 90 degrees or 135 degrees to the right or left when a light in
front extinguished. RESULTS: People with stroke initiated movement of the
segments significantly later than the controls (p=0.014). The sequence of onset
of rotation of the segments was not different between both groups. Target
predictability affected the sequence of the segments; the eyes, head and shoulder
started moving simultaneously when turning to unpredictable targets while the
head and shoulder started moving before the eyes when turning to predictable
targets. The sequence was also different across the three turn angles for each
predictability condition. However, the sequence remained the same when turning to
both sides in each group. CONCLUSION: Similarities between the groups may be
because the time since the stroke was long and therefore some recovery of
function may have occurred. Slowness of movement in people with stroke may
predispose them to falls.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS