Kinematic analysis of the upper limbs during elbow extension in C_5 and C_6 spinal cord injury patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate motor patterns in the upper limbs of C_5 to C_6 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during elbow extension. Methods Fifteen C_5 and C_6 SCI patients and fifteen healthy subjects formed an SCI group and a control group respectively. A three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed on videos of the subjects performing four elbow extension activities grasping a cup, reaching for a light switch, propelling a wheelchair, and upper limb weight bearing. A Peak Motus motion analysis system was employed. Results Compared with controls, the movement time of the SCI group was significantly longer during grasping, reaching for a light switch and wheelchair ambulation. Their angular velocity was significantly slower during reaching for a light switch and during wheelchair ambulation. The patients with spinal cord injury performed the motor tasks primarily by relying on increasing or decreasing the angular displacement of the shoulder. But they compensated for their functional deficiency by changing the movement direction of the shoulder and elbow in sagittal projection during upper limb weight bearing activities. Conclusion C_ 5-6 SCI patients use motor patterns and strategies different from those of control subjects in completing elbow extension activities.