Trunk kinematics related to generation and transfer of the trunk flexor momentum are associated with sit-to-stand performance in chronic stroke survivors

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Silva, Paula Fernanda de Sousa | Quintino, Ludimylla Ferreira | Franco, Juliane | Rodrigues-de-Paula, Fátima | Albuquerque de Araújo, Priscila | Faria, Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais^*

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Professor Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais Faria, Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627 Campus Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Tel.: +55 31 3409 7448; E-mails: [email protected], [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stroke subjects show poorer sit-to-stand (STS) performance when compared to matched-healthy subjects, but it is still unclear the trunk role in this poorer performance. OBJECTIVES: To compare the trunk kinematics related to the generation/transfer of the flexor momentum during the STS task between stroke and matched-healthy subjects, and to investigate if there were relationships between these variables and STS performance. METHODS: Eighteen chronic stroke survivors and 18 matched-healthy subjects were assessed. The score of the five-repetition STS test and the total/phases duration of the STS (motion analysis system) at both self-selected/fast speeds characterized STS performance. Trunk kinematic variables were maximum forward flexion, peak flexor momentum, and its temporal framework in the STS. Between groups comparisons (Independent Student’s t-tests) and correlations (Pearson correlation) were performed (α= 0.05). RESULTS: Stroke subjects showed poorer STS performance, greater values of maximum forward flexion at fast speeds, and a lower peak flexor momentum at both speeds (0.001≤p≤0.022). In general, the correlations were significant, moderate (0.001≤p≤0.028), and positive to maximum forward flexion (0.37≤r≤0.54) and negative to peak flexor momentum (–0.58≤r≤–0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The poorer STS performance in stroke survivors is associated to the kinematic changes of the trunk related to the poorer ability to generate/transfer the trunk flexor momentum.

Keywords: Stroke, activities of daily living, mobility, trunk, reabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-161390

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 57-67, 2017