ABSTRACT
This study proposes a new method for measuring upper limb movement using a bio-impedance technique. Bio-impedance and joint angle were simultaneously measured during the wrist and elbow movements of 12 normal subjects. The joint angles of the wrist and elbow were estimated by measuring the bio-impedances of the forearm and upper arm, respectively. Although the measured bio-impedances on upper limbs varied among individuals, changes in the bio-impedances and joint angles of the wrist and elbow during their extension and flexion were very highly correlated, having correlation coefficients of 0.96 +/- 0.04 and -0.98 +/- 0.02, respectively. The reproducibilities of wrist and elbow bio-impedance changes were 2.1 +/- 1.0% and 1.8 +/- 1.0%, respectively. Since the proposed method is not restricted by size or the duration of measurements, it is expected to be useful for the analysis of athletic movement.
Subject(s)
Humans , Elbow/physiology , Electric Impedance , Movement , Reproducibility of Results , Wrist/physiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The current literature gives confusing advice on the position of the elbow in ulnar nerve conduction study. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate position of elbow flexion for a segmental ulnar nerve conduction study and to attain the basic information for an evaluation of ulnar neuropathy. METHODS: Segmental ulnar motor and sensory nerve conduction studies were performed bilaterally on 40 healthy korean adults(20 men and 20 women) with the age range from 19 to 56 years(mean age : 29.86). The ulnar nerve was stimulated at 7 cm & 10 cm proximal to the active recording electrode respectively and 5 cm distal, and poximal to the medial epicondyle of the humerus for motor and sensory nerves at each elbow flexion position of 0o, 45o, 90o, and 135o. The segmental distances were measured in each position. RESULTS: The segmental nerve conduction velocity(NCV) of the elbow segment increased with the degree of elbow flexion, and it was faster than the forearm segment at 90o and 135o of elbow flexion. The NCV showed no statistical difference in each elbow position. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the degree of elbow flexion should be maintained 90o or above in an ulnar nerve conduction study.