Quantitative analysis of the reaching ability of stroke survivors with synchronous surface electromyography / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the reaching ability of hemiplegic stroke survivors using a motion capture unit (MCU) combined with surface electromyography (sEMG).Methods Sixteen stroke survivors with hemiplegia formed the experimental group,while healthy counterparts were selected as the control group.Both groups were asked to sit on a chair and reach for a cup on a table in front of their shoulder at arm's length using their affected arms in the experimental group and their right arms in the control group.MCUs were fixed on their spines and arms to obtain kinematic signals,and the sEMG signals of the trapezius,the anterior deltoids,biceps and triceps of the tested limb were recorded.Each subject repeated the test 3 times,and the best result was retained for further analysis.After signal processing,the range of movement of the shoulders and elbows was extracted along with the time used to reach the cup,peak angular velocity,time to peak velocity of the shoulders and elbows,work of the muscles and work ratios of the trapezius/deltoid and biceps/triceps.The upper limb section of the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was also administered to evaluate the patients' upper limb function.Independent sample rank sum tests compared the patients with the controls in terms of kinematics and sEMG parameters.Spearman analysis was used to explore the correlation between the FMA scores and the kinematics and sEMG characteristics.Results Significant differences in the kinematic and myoelectric indicators were found between the patients and the controls.The average FMA score of the patients was correlated with the peak velocity of the shoulder joint.Moreover,the ROM of the shoulder was closely related to the work of the trapezius,while the time for the shoulder joint to reach peak velocity was closely related to the work ratio of the biceps and triceps.Conclusion An MCU integrated with synchronous sEMG can quantitatively assess the kinematics and kinetics of hemiplegic stroke survivors,at least in reaching.This can provide objective guidance to optimize clinical rehabilitation.