Temporal structure of variability decreases in upper extremity movements post stroke

Amit Sethi, Tara Patterson, Theresa McGuirk, Carolynn Patten, Lorie G. Richards, Nicholas Stergiou

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    11 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Background The objective of this study was to determine movement variability in the more-affected upper-extremity in chronic stroke survivors. We investigated two hypotheses: (1) individuals with stroke will have increased amount of variability and altered structure of variability in upper-extremity joint movement patterns as compared to age-matched controls; and (2) the degree of motor impairment and joint kinematics will be correlated with the temporal structure of variability. Methods Sixteen participants with chronic stroke and nine age-matched controls performed three trials of functional reach-to-grasp. The amount of variability was quantified by computing the standard deviation of shoulder, elbow, wrist and index finger flexion/extension joint angles. The temporal structure of variability was determined by calculating approximate entropy in shoulder, elbow, wrist and index finger flexion/extension joint angles. Findings Individuals with stroke demonstrated greater standard deviations and significantly reduced approximate entropy values as compared to controls. Furthermore, motor impairments and kinematics demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with temporal structure of variability. Interpretation Changes in the temporal structure of variability in upper-extremity joint angles suggest that movement patterns used by stroke survivors are less adaptable. This knowledge may yield additional insights into the impaired motor system and suggest better interventions that can enhance upper-extremity movement adaptability.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)134-139
    Number of pages6
    JournalClinical Biomechanics
    Volume28
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Feb 2013

    Keywords

    • Complexity
    • Keywords
    • Kinematics
    • Motor skills
    • Time-dependent structure
    • Upper extremity

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biophysics
    • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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