Fell D.W.1, Dale R.B.1, Battles M.1, Beets A.1, Estes K.1, Smart J.1, Saale B.2
1University of South Alabama, Department of Physical Therapy, Mobile, United States, 2University of South Alabama, Department of Physical Therapy, Mobile, AL, United States
Background: The most commonly reported deficit following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is hemiparesis, defined as weakness on one side of the body. In addition, deficits in motor control, or impaired ability of the brain to regulate movement at a specific joint, are seen in the same distribution. Currently only subjective scales are clinically available to measure selective motor control following cerebral damage, but objective measures are needed.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to formulate and evaluate a method that allows clinicians to easily and objectively measure voluntary motor control during any specific joint movement.
Methods: In this case series, three individuals post-stroke participated in this observational study. Selected movements of three participants with CVA were assessed using smartphone applications, Hudl Technique 2-D video and Sensor Kinetic Pro acceleration data, as a more objective method for documenting and monitoring motor control improvement following a CVA. For acceleration data a formula was used to calculate the total resultant acceleration (TRA) for the participants tested extremity during the voluntary movement. Movements were analyzed for portions of range with observed loss of motor control and compared by time-stamp to acceleration date in the same periods (reaction time, movement time, abnormal movement time).
Results: Data collected by Hudl Technique 2-D video and Sensor Kinetics Pro accelerometer revealed that following reaction time, smooth control occurred in the early portion of movement for each subject, with few peak accelerations, while increased frequency of peak accelerations occurred during the portion of range when abnormal synergies or abnormal movement timing were observed.
Conclusion(s): Visual observation of loss of motor control on the 2-D video coincide with increased frequency of peak acceleration noted in the accelerometer data.
Implications: While further study is needed to investigate the reliability, validity, and feasibility of using smartphone applications in a broader clinical sample, it appears that this method may provide an objective way to objectively measure isolated or selective motor control and document improvement during stroke rehabilitation.
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Neurology: stroke
Ethics approval: This project was approved by the University of South Alabama Institutional Review Board.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
