Age and Body Position on Handgrip Strength and Movement Coordination of Upper Limb
Condition: Stroke
MeSH terms: Stroke
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of the study was to analyze the importance of the position of the body and the
      examined upper limb on the parameters of movement coordination and hand grip strength in
      various age groups of people after a stroke and healthy individuals.
    

Detailed description: 
      The aim of this experiment was to analyze the parameters of motor coordination and handshake
      strength in stroke patients and healthy volunteers in various age groups and selected torso
      and upper limb positions. Both patients and healthy volunteers were prospectively divided
      into three age groups: 18-45, 46-60 and 61 and above. Thus, the maximum range of motion
      (ROM), frequency of wrist and finger movements, and grip strength (dependent variables) were
      valued in three age groups and different starting positions (independent variables). The Hand
      Tutor device (MediTouch, Israel) and the electronic manual dynamometer EH 101 (Camry, China)
      for grip strength measurement (error of measurement, 0.5 kg/lb) were used.

      The Hand Tutor allows measurements of the frequency of movement (i.e., the number of cycles
      per second, where one cycle represents the movement from flexion to contraction) and the
      maximum range of movement, which is automatically measured during the frequency test, were
      performed over time 10 seconds (sensitivity: 0,05 [mm] of wrist and fingers Ext./Flex), the
      frequency of movement (motion capture speed: up to 1 [m/sec]).

      The test consisted of two motor tasks, carried out in two different starting positions:
      sitting and lying down (supine). During the first examination, the subject sat on the
      therapeutic table (without back support), feet resting on the floor. The upper limb was to be
      examined in adduction, with the elbow bent in the intermediate position between pronation and
      supination of the forearm. In the supine position, the upper limb was stabilized at the
      subject's body (adduction in the humeral joint, elbow flexion in the intermediate position).

      In each of the starting positions, after putting the glove on, the subject was asked to make
      moves as quickly and in as full a range as possible. Finally, the measurement of grip
      strength with a dynamometer was performed in both analyzed starting positions, after
      completing the range of motion and speed or frequency tests. The upper extremity tested in
      stroke patients was the paretic extremity. In healthy subjects, the dominant hand was tested.
    

Intervention name(s): hand motor coordination in a sitting positin
Intervention type(s): Procedure
Intervention description(s): Before each test, the patient was instructed on how the exercise should be done. The test consisted of two motor tasks, carried out in two different starting positions: sitting and lying down (supine). During the first examination, the subject sat on the therapeutic table (without back support), feet resting on the floor. The upper limb was to be examined in adduction, with the elbow bent in the intermediate position between pronation and supination of the forearm. In the supine position, the upper limb was stabilized at the subject's body (adduction in the humeral joint, elbow flexion in the intermediate position).
Other intervention name(s): hand motor coordination in a supine position
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: stroke; age; grip strength; coordination movement; stabilization