Influence of gravity compensation on kinematics and muscle activation patterns during reach and retrieval in cervical spinal cord injury.

Kloosterman, M. (Marieke) (2009) Influence of gravity compensation on kinematics and muscle activation patterns during reach and retrieval in cervical spinal cord injury. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

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Abstract

Background: Many applications in upper extremity rehabilitation after a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), for example robotics, include arm support during treatment. The specific effect of arm support (gravity compensation) on kinematics and muscle activation characteristics in SCI subjects is largely unknown. Objective: To assess the influence of gravity compensation on the upper extremity of SCI subjects during reach and retrieval. Methods: Nine subjects with a cervical spinal cord injury performed a maximal reaching task and a reach and retrieval task with and without gravity compensation. Angles at elbow and shoulder joints and muscle activation patterns were measured and compared for both gravity conditions. Results: During the maximal reaching task with gravity compensation seven subjects showed less elbow extension (range 1.8-4.5 degrees). In the reach and retrieval task with gravity compensation all subjects showed decreased elbow extension (11.0-0.1 °). Furthermore, a movement execution closer to the body was seen. Regarding muscle activation, timing was not influenced by gravity compensation. However, the amplitude of activation decreased especially in anti-gravity muscles (descending part trapezius (mean decrease (±SD) of 18.2% ±37.5°/o); anterior part deltoid (37.7°/o ±16.7%); posterior part deltoid (32.0% ±13.9o/o); long head biceps (49.6% ±20.0%)). Conclusions: Arm support of the upper extremity influenced the kinematics of the upper extremity, and the amplitude of the muscle activation however the timing of the muscle activation was not affected. These results might have implications for the use of arm support integrated in rehabilitation programs.

Item Type:	Thesis (Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Bongers, Raoul
Supervisor name:	Jannink, Michiel and Snoek, Govert and Roessingh and Research and Development Enschede
Faculty:	Medical Sciences
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2020 10:39
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2020 10:39
URI:	https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/67

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