ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the affected elbow flexor activities and balance of stroke patients in standing and walking as fixing the affected upper extremity with different methods. Methods:From September to December, 2018, 14 stroke patients from Affiliated Suzhou Science ＆ Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included. They were measured elbow flexor contraction ratio (integrated electromyogram of flexor/integrated electromyogram of antagonist) with wireless surface electromyography as standing and walking in normal speed, and sway index with Biodex as standing, in four conditions: the affected arm without fixing, and fixed with elbow orthosis, and with unaffected hand backwards and forwards. Results:The contraction ratio was the most as the arm fixed with elbow orthosis in both standing and walking (F > 2.687, P < 0.05). The sway index was the most as the arm fixed with unaffected hand forwards (F = 21.091, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The elbow orthosis restraint may lead to increased contraction of the affected elbow flexor, which is unsatisfactory to inhibit flexor activity of the upper extremities; while restraint of unaffected hand forwards may lead to instable balance.
