Electromyographic study relating to shoulder motion: control of shoulder joint by functional electrical stimulation.

The purpose of this study is to create the standard stimulation patterns of shoulder motion from electromyographic (EMG) data in 13 healthy human volunteers in order to control the movement of the paralyzed shoulder in quadriplegic and hemiplegic patients by functional electrical stimulation (FES). Simultaneous EMG measurement was made at 24 points of 17 major muscles relating to shoulder motion. Since the number of the output channels in the portable FES apparatus is limited, 12 major muscles were selected from statistically processing these EMG data and stimulation patterns were created based on the EMG data of these muscles. Thus three standard stimulation patterns were created to move the shoulder, i.e., (i) 90 degrees flexion to 90 degrees horizontal abduction, (ii) 90 degrees flexion to 20 degrees horizontal adduction, and (iii) 90 degrees abduction to 90 degrees horizontal adduction. With the created stimulation patterns, the restoration of the shoulder motion in plegic patients was successful and it will be reported in the next paper.     

Goniometric reliability in a clinical setting. Shoulder measurements

The purpose of this study was to examine the intratester and intertester reliabilities for clinical goniometric measurements of shoulder passive range of motion (PROM) using two different sizes of universal goniometers. Patients were measured without controlling therapist goniometric placement technique or patient position during measurements. Repeated PROM measurements of shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, shoulder horizontal abduction, horizontal adduction, lateral (external) rotation, and medial (internal) rotation were taken of two groups of 50 subjects each. The intratester intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for all motions ranged from .87 to .99. The ICCs for the intertester reliability of PROM measurements of horizontal abduction, horizontal adduction, extension, and medial rotation ranged from .26 to .55. The intertester ICCs for PROM measurements of flexion, abduction, and lateral rotation ranged from .84 to .90. Goniometric PROM measurements for the shoulder appear to be highly reliable when taken by the same physical therapist, regardless of the size of the goniometer used. The degree of intertester reliability for these measurements appears to be range-of-motion specific.     

Upper extremity strength and range of motion and their relationship to function in breast cancer survivors

The impact upper extremity impairments (UE) have on UE function in breast cancer survivors (BCS) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between upper extremity active range of motion (AROM), passive range of motion (PROM), and strength with self-reported function in BCS. BCS (n = 24) completed the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and the Pennsylvania Shoulder Score (PSS). AROM and PROM of shoulder flexion, extension, external rotation (ER) at 0° and 90° of abduction, and internal rotation (IR) at 90° of abduction were measured using a digital inclinometer. Strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer for scapular abduction and upward rotation, scapular depression and adduction, flexion, IR, ER, scaption, and horizontal adduction. All constructs of AROM, PROM, and strength were correlated with the DASH and PSS. DASH was moderately to highly correlated with 2 of 5 AROM, 2 of 5 PROM, and 6 of 7 shoulder strength measures. PSS was moderately to highly correlated with 2 of 5 AROM, 2 of 5 PROM, and 4 of 7 shoulder strength measures. Regression analysis showed that AROM explained 40% of the DASH scores and strength explained 20% of scores on the PSS. This study characterizes the impact that shoulder motion, flexibility, and strength losses have on shoulder function in BCS. Deficits in AROM and shoulder strength explained the greatest proportion of shoulder disability. Future clinical trials should consider incorporating AROM and strengthening techniques to improve shoulder use after breast cancer treatments.     

Normative values of agonist-antagonist shoulder strength ratios of adults aged 20 to 78 years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine normative values for isometric flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and external/internal rotation strength ratios about the shoulder and to determine if these ratios are affected by age or gender. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of 120 healthy volunteers (60 men, 60 women) aged 20 to 78 years. SETTING: Orthopedic research laboratory. METHODS: Flexion and extension strengths were measured isometrically using a Cybex II dynamometer at arm flexion angles of 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees. Abduction and adduction strengths were measured at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees abduction. Internal and external rotation strengths were measured (1) with the arm abducted 15 degrees and neutral external/internal rotation and (2) with the arm abducted 90 degrees and externally rotated 30 degrees above the transverse plane. OUTCOME MEASURES: Isometric strength ratios for flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and external/internal rotation. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in agonist/antagonist strength ratios were found between dominant and nondominant sides or between genders. Age was associated with changes in strength ratios for measurements taken with the arm flexed or abducted 90 degrees. Posture was found to affect strength ratios. CONCLUSIONS: These data can serve as a normative reference for clinical use.     

Compensatory strategies of body-powered prosthesis users reveal primary reliance on trunk motion and relation to skill level

BackgroundWhile body-powered prostheses are commonly used, the compensatory strategies required to operate body-powered devices are not well understood. Kinematic assessment in addition to standard clinical tests can give a comprehensive evaluation of prosthesis user function and skill. This study investigated the movement compensations of body-powered prosthesis users and determined whether a correlation is present between compensatory strategies and skill level, as measured by a standard clinical test.MethodsFive transradial body-powered prosthesis users completed two standardized upper limb tasks. A 12-camera motion capture system was used to obtain three-dimensional angular kinematics for eight degrees of freedom at the trunk, shoulder, and elbow. Range of motion was compared to a normative dataset. Pearson's correlation was used to assess the relationship between the Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputees and range of motion for each degree of freedom.FindingsParticipants displayed a statistically significant (P < .05) increase in range of motion at the trunk for both tasks. Shoulder flexion/extension range of motion was significantly reduced (P < .05) compared to normative values, but shoulder abduction/adduction range of motion did not show a consistent difference compared to norms. Skill level was correlated with range of motion for specific degrees of freedom at the trunk, shoulder, and elbow.InterpretationBody-powered prosthesis users compensated with trunk movement and showed reduced motion for shoulder flexion/extension, with relatively normal shoulder abduction/adduction. Skill level was correlated with angular kinematic strategies, which may allow targeting of specific therapeutic interventions for reducing compensatory movements.     

Instrumented parallel bars for three-dimensional force measurement.

This paper describes the modification and instrumentation of standard parallel bars to allow for the measurement of applied forces on both horizontal bars in three dimensions. This measurement system has been used in the development and evaluation of functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices for standing and gait restoration in paralyzed patients. Real-time measurement of forces applied by the upper body of the patient to the parallel bars is of use in the evaluation of FES stimulation patterns (or automatic controllers of stimulation). Such measurements are useful in the redesign of stimulation patterns and/or stimulation controllers.     

Movements in the lumbar spine during exercises of the upper extremities. A roentgenologic study in para- and tetraplegic patients.

Strengthening exercises during treatment of patients with unstable lumbar fractures produce a kyphotic or lordotic sagittal movement in the lumbar spine. These movements have been measured roentgenologically. Forward flexion exercises in the shoulder joints to 45 degrees produced a kyphotic movement, while forward flexion to 110 degrees and abduction exercises to 90 degrees produced a lordotic movement. Flexion of hips and knees to 45 degrees produced a kyphotic movement adding to the movements caused by the shoulder exercises. Increasing the load on the upper extremities produced an increase of all movements.     

A home-based rehabilitation program for the hemiplegic upper extremity by power-assisted functional electrical stimulation

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of daily power-assisted functional electrical stimulation (FES) home program therapy in chronic stroke. METHODS: A total of 20 consecutively enrolled stroke patients with spastic upper-extremity impairments > 1 year after stroke were recruited for this non-blinded randomized controlled trial. Subjects were assigned to control and FES groups and followed for 5 months. The FES group used a power-assisted FES device to induce greater muscle contraction by electrical stimulation in proportion to the integrated electromyography (EMG) signal picked up on surface electrodes. Target muscles were the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), extensor digitorum communis (EDC), extensor indicis proprius (EIP), and deltoid (Del). Patients underwent 30 approximately 60 min FES sessions at home about 6 days/week. Root mean square (RMS) of ECRL, EDC and Del maximum voluntary EMGs, active range of motion (ROM) of wrist and finger extension and shoulder flexion, modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and clinical tests were investigated before and after FES training. RESULTS: The FES group displayed significantly greater improvements in RMS, active ROM, MAS and functional hand tests, and was able to smoothly perform activities of daily life using the hemiplegic upper extremities. CONCLUSIONS: Daily power-assisted FES home program therapy can effectively improve wrist and finger extension and shoulder flexion. Proprioceptional sensory feedback might play an important role in power-assisted FES therapy.     

A kinematic study of the upper-limb motion of wheelchair basketball shooting in tetraplegic adults

Kinematic aspects of the reduced shooting ability of tetraplegic (TP) wheelchair basketball players were investigated and compared with those of able-bodied (AB) basketball players. TP showed significantly smaller values for the vertical component of ball release velocity (4.26 (degree/s) versus 5.45 (degree/s)) and maximum wrist flexion angular velocity (878.4 (degree/s) versus 1445.9 degrees) than AB. Moreover, for a specific shoulder horizontal adduction motion, a larger range of shoulder abduction motion and larger displacements of the right shoulder were observed in TP. The reduced ball velocity of TP subjects with lesions at the C7 to C8 levels depended on an insufficient wrist flexion angular velocity, where dysfunction of available musculature may be a causal determinant. Further, the specific motions observed in TP subjects most likely maximize the function of available musculature, thereby partially compensating for the dysfunction of the wrist flexor muscles and contributing to resultant ball release velocity.     

Reliability and validity of shoulder tightness measurement in patients with stiff shoulders

The purposes of this study were (1) to examine intratester and intertester reliability of measurement of anterior and posterior shoulder tightness in patients with stiff shoulders (SS), and (2) to assess construct validity by determining the relations between shoulder tightness, shoulder range of motion (ROM), and self-report measures of functional limitation. Anterior and posterior shoulder tightness were measured by two testers in below-chest abduction and cross-chest adduction tests with an inclinometer, respectively, in 16 patients with SS. Both the intratester and intertester reliability for shoulder tightness measurements were good (intratester ICC=0.84 and 0.91; intertester ICC=0.82 and 0.89). The limit of intra-tester and inter-tester agreement (mean, -0.3+/-4.4 degrees ) was acceptable as compared to the standard deviations of the measurements (range, 6.2-7.4 degrees ). Significant relationships between internal rotation and posterior shoulder tightness (R2=0.448, P=0.002), external rotation and anterior shoulder tightness (R2=0.499, P=0.003), and functional disabilities and posterior shoulder tightness (R2=0.432, P=0.006) were found. Significant correlations between shoulder internal rotation and cross-chest adduction, shoulder external rotation and below-chest abduction were observed, indicating that internal and external rotations might be related to posterior and anterior shoulder stiffness. The study also revealed significant relationship between functional disabilities and cross-chest adduction. Below-chest abduction and cross-chest adduction were found to provide reliable data. The construct validity of the abduction and adduction tests is supported by the relationship among these measurements, shoulder ROM, and functional disabilities in patients with SS.     

膏摩治疗配合等速训练治疗肩周炎的疗效观察

目的:观察膏摩结合等速训练治疗肩周炎的临床疗效。方法:将60名肩周炎患者随机分为观察组和对照组各30例,2组均采用膏摩治疗,观察组加用等速肌力训练。观察2组患者治疗前后肩关节前屈、后伸,外展角度、力矩峰值及VAS评分变化。结果:治疗3周后,2组患者肩关节前屈、后伸、外展角度及力矩峰值均较治疗前明显提高(P0.05),且观察组更优于对照组(P0.05);2组VAS评分均较治疗前明显下降(P0.05),且观察组更低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:膏摩治疗配合等速训练能够更好的减轻肩周炎患者的疼痛,增加肩关节活动度,增加肌力,并藉此改善患者上肢运动功能。     

Thoracic position effect on shoulder range of motion, strength, and three-dimensional scapular kinematics.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of thoracic posture on scapular movement patterns, active range of motion (ROM) in scapular plane abduction, and isometric scapular plane abduction muscle force. STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: Repeated measures design. There were 34 healthy subjects (mean age, 30.2 yrs). Each subject was positioned and stabilized while sitting in both erect and slouched trunk postures. In each sitting posture a three-dimensional electromechanical digitizer was used to measure thoracic flexion and scapular position and orientation in three planes. Measurements were taken with the arm (1) at the side, (2) abducted to horizontal in the scapular plane, and (3) at maximum scapular plane abduction. In each posture, isometric abduction muscle force was measured with the arm at the side and abducted to horizontal in the scapular plane. RESULTS: In the slouched posture, the scapula was significantly more elevated in the interval between 0 to 90 degrees abduction. In the interval between 90 degrees and maximum abduction, the slouched posture resulted in significantly less scapular posterior tilting. There was significantly less active shoulder abduction ROM in the slouched posture (mean difference = 23.6 degrees +/- 10.7 degrees). Muscle force was not different between slouched and erect postures with the arm at the side, but with the arm horizontal muscle force was decreased 16.2% in the slouched position. CONCLUSION: Thoracic spine position significantly affects scapular kinematics during scapular plane abduction, and the slouched posture is associated with decreased muscle force.     

A home-based rehabilitation program for the hemiplegic upper extremity by power-assisted functional electrical stimulation

Purpose. To assess the effects of daily power-assisted functional electrical stimulation (FES) home program therapy in chronic stroke.

Methods. A total of 20 consecutively enrolled stroke patients with spastic upper-extremity impairments >1 year after stroke were recruited for this non-blinded randomized controlled trial. Subjects were assigned to control and FES groups and followed for 5 months. The FES group used a power-assisted FES device to induce greater muscle contraction by electrical stimulation in proportion to the integrated electromyography (EMG) signal picked up on surface electrodes. Target muscles were the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), extensor digitorum communis (EDC), extensor indicis proprius (EIP), and deltoid (Del). Patients underwent 30 ～ 60 min FES sessions at home about 6 days/week. Root mean square (RMS) of ECRL, EDC and Del maximum voluntary EMGs, active range of motion (ROM) of wrist and finger extension and shoulder flexion, modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and clinical tests were investigated before and after FES training.

Results. The FES group displayed significantly greater improvements in RMS, active ROM, MAS and functional hand tests, and was able to smoothly perform activities of daily life using the hemiplegic upper extremities.

Conclusions. Daily power-assisted FES home program therapy can effectively improve wrist and finger extension and shoulder flexion. Proprioceptional sensory feedback might play an important role in power-assisted FES therapy.     

A cadaveric study of strain on the subscapularis muscle

OBJECTIVES: To measure the strain on 3 fiber groups of the subscapularis muscle at various glenohumeral joint positions and to determine the appropriate shoulder position for subscapularis muscle stretching. DESIGN: Repeated-measures design. SETTING: Biomechanics laboratory. SPECIMENS: Nine frozen-thawed glenohumeral joints obtained from 9 fresh cadavers. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The strain on the upper, middle, and lower fiber groups of the subscapularis were measured by precise displacement sensors during 14 different glenohumeral joint positions. RESULTS: The glenohumeral joint position that showed the largest strain varied among the 3 fiber groups. Although no position showed significantly large strain on the upper and middle fiber groups, external rotation at 30 degrees , 60 degrees , and 90 degrees of elevation, abduction, flexion, and horizontal abduction revealed significantly greater strain on the lower fiber groups (P<.005). Additionally, except for external rotation at 0 degrees of elevation, the strain on the lower fiber group was significantly greater than that on the upper and middle fiber groups in external rotation (P<.005). CONCLUSIONS: The stretching position of each fiber group of the subscapularis differs depending on the glenohumeral joint position. External rotation at 30 degrees to 60 degrees of glenohumeral elevation, abduction, flexion, and horizontal abduction can significantly stretch the lower fiber group of the subscapularis muscle.     

Normal functional range of motion of upper limb joints during performance of three feeding activities

This study was designed to quantify the range of upper limb joint motion required during the performance of a specific type of functional activity. Ten able-bodied men were studied as they performed three feeding tasks--eating with a spoon, eating with a fork, and drinking from a handled cup. Three shoulder joint rotations, one elbow joint rotation, one forearm joint rotation, and three wrist joint rotations were quantified simultaneously using a three-dimensional measurement system. It was found that the required ranges of motion for the feeding tasks were 5 degrees to 45 degrees shoulder flexion, 5 degrees to 35 degrees shoulder abduction, 5 degrees to 25 degrees shoulder internal rotation, 70 degrees to 130 degrees elbow flexion, from 40 degrees forearm pronation to 60 degrees forearm supination, from 10 degrees wrist flexion to 25 degrees wrist extension, and from 20 degrees wrist ulnar deviation to 5 degrees wrist radial deviation. Wrist rotation was also measured, but it was found to be negligible.     

Range of Motion in Older Women

This study had three purposes: to compare the active neck and upper extremity range of motion (ROM) in healthy older women with expected estimates; to consider if right and left side measures were similar; and to determine the degree of ROM loss with advancing age. Sixty-one older women, living independently in the community, were measured at the neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, and wrist on the right and left sides using a standard protocol. ROM was less than expected by 14_ to 30_ for neck lateral flexion (26.00_ ?8.72_ on right; 26.41_ ?7.67_ on left), shoulder abduction (154.62_D 21.37_ on right; 150.25_ ?21.65_ on left), shoulder flexion (158.23_ ?19.55_ on right; 159.20_ ?8.73_ on left), shoulder internal rotation (52.92_ ?8.99_ on right; 53.74_ ?9.94_ on left), and shoulder external rotation (76.05_ ?16.31_ on right; 72.44_ ?15.37 on left). Some differences were noted between right and left side ROM. Linear regression for age and range suggested that range decreased with age by an average of approximately 1_ per year in right shoulder abduction, right shoulder flexion, and right and left shoulder external rotation.     

上肢康复机器人结合常规康复训练对急性期脑卒中患者上肢功能的疗效研究

目的:观察上肢康复机器人结合常规康复训练对急性期脑卒中患者上肢运动功能的改善情况。方法:将50例脑卒中患者随机分为对照组和观察组,对照组每天进行2次常规康复训练,观察组每天进行1次常规康复训练及1次上肢康复机器人训练,每周治疗5d,共4周,治疗前后分别用Fugl-Meyer(上肢部分,FMA-UE)、改良日常生活能力(MBI)、肩关节主动关节活动度评价康复效果。结果:治疗后,2组患者的FMA-UE、肩关节主动关节活动度和MBI评估均有明显提高(P0.05),上肢康复机器人结合常规康复训练组的FMA-UE和肩关节前屈、水平内收、水平外展主动关节活动度与对照组相比提高更加明显(P0.05)。结论:上肢康复机器人结合常规康复训练对急性期脑卒中患者上肢功能有明显改善作用。     

Joint Range of Motion in Flaccid Hemiplegia

The effect of muscle tone on passive range of motion (PROM) in affected joints and comparison joints on the unaffected side was investigated in 15 patients with flaccid paralysis hemiplegia. PROM was measured in the shoulder and hip in flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and internal and external rotation using the plastic universal goniometer. PROM in the elbow and knee was assessed in flexion and extension. Wrist PROM was measured in flexion, extension and radial and ulnar deviation. Additionally, ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, eversion and inversion PROM were assessed. Decreased muscle tone significantly affected shoulder (p = 0.006), wrist (p = 0.032) and hip (p = 0.003) PROM. Significant differences between the affected and unaffected sides were found in shoulder PROM in extension (p = 0.014), adduction (p = 0.001) and internal (p = 0.034) and external rotation (p = 0.007). Wrist PROM was significantly different in flexion (p = 0.048) and extension (p = 0.001), and hip PROM was significantly different in abduction (p = 0.029), adduction (p = 0.012) and external rotation (p = 0.001). Surprisingly, although muscle tone had no influence on ankle PROM, there was a significant difference in ankle plantarflexion PROM (p = 0.013). In conclusion, in flaccid hemiplegia, decreased muscle tone affects the PROM in the shoulder, wrist and hip. Differences in PROM between the unaffected and affected side are evident in shoulder extension, adduction and internal and external rotation, wrist flexion and extension, hip abduction, adduction and external rotation, and ankle plantarflexion.     

Swelling of the upper extremity, function and muscle strength of shoulder joint following mastectomy combined with radiotherapy.

Swelling of the arm, mobility of the shoulder joint and muscle strength were examined in 76 patients with breast cancer 4.5 to 14 years (mean 8 years) after primary therapy. Marked arm swelling was found on the operated side in 31% of the patients operated by radical mastectomy and in 18% of those having undergone total mastectomy. The swelling was more marked in the upper arm than in the forearm. Patients irradiated postoperatively with a megavoltage technique showed more often and more oedema than those treated with a kilovoltage technique. Obese patients had more swelling than patients of normal weight. Of the various movements of the shoulder joint, abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, horizontal extension and internal rotation were significantly reduced on the operated side in comparison with the non-operated side, but the differences were not great. Neither swelling of the arm nor the patient's weight had any effect on the function of the shoulder joint, as expressed in terms of abduction. Of the muscle groups in the shoulder joint adductors, flexors and extensors were significantly weaker on the operated than on the non-operated side. The muscle strength of the operated side averaged 25% weaker than that of the control side. Swelling of the arm did not reduce the muscle strength of the shoulder joint.