Objective measurements of muscle force in a group of after-stroke patients with hemiparesis.

The aim of this study was to estimate the strength of spastic muscles using Biodex System 3 within a group of patients with hemiparesis in after-stroke population. Measurements of the moments of force in elbow flexors and extensors of both spastic and non-spastic limbs were conducted under isostatic conditions. We analysed the values obtained for both limbs in order to determine the spasticity level on an Ashworth scale (0-4). The subjects were 10 patients with hemiparesis and varying spasticity selected from an after-stroke population. The analysis showed that spastic muscles activated less force than non-spastic muscles of the same patient. Furthermore, in a spastic limb, higher values of force were noted in the flexors than in the extensors of the elbow. In a non-spastic limb, the values of force were higher in the extensors of the elbow joint than in flexors. It is worth adding that the dynamics of force exposure, defined by a gradient of force, was much lower in spastic muscles than in non-spastic ones. Objective estimation of muscle force can be done by measuring the moments of force in particular groups of muscles upon the isokinetic contraction appearing. The repeatability of measurements may enable the kind of kinesitherapy to be determined as well as the assessment of the effectiveness of exercises in regard to force increase and dynamics of spastic muscles.

Impact of physiotherapy on the functional status of elbow and knee joints and quality of life in patients with hemophilia.

Background. The objective of our research was to assess the impact of physiotherapy on the frequency of intraarticular and intramuscular hemorrhages and on elbow and knee joint function, in hemophilic patients. Material and methods. We examined 22 boys, 6-14 years of age, suffering from hemophilia A. The research program included patient history in respect to intraarticular hemorrhages in elbows and knees before therapy, observation of intra-articular bleeding during physiotherapy, goniometric measurements of the range of movement in the elbow and knee, measurement of the circumference of the arm, forearm, thigh and calf, and momentum dynamometric measurements of the relative and absolute force of the flexors and extensors of the lower leg at the knee joints and of the forearm at the elbow joints, in static conditions. The treatment program included deficit coagulant agent replacement therapy, physiotherapy, and kinesitherapy. Results. The physiotherapy program we applied resulted in a considerable improvement in mobility, as well as increased muscle strength and mass. Conclusions. Our research showed that, due to the application of the appropriate replacement treatment, there was a decrease in the frequency and size of intraarticular hemorrhages, despite intense rehabilitation and physical activity.