Muscle strength of trunk flexion-extension in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.
This study was undertaken to determine muscle strength of trunk flexion-extension in hemiplegic patients after stroke compared with that of normal controls. The design consisted of a nonrandomized control trial in a secondary care setting (a rehabilitation unit at a hospital facility). The subjects included 25 post-stroke male hemiplegic patients and 25 male healthy controls. The maximal peak torques of trunk flexion-extension at angular velocities of 0 degrees (isometric contraction), 60 degrees, 120 degrees, and 150 degrees/s were measured by using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex Trunk Extension-Flexion Unit, Cybex, Ronkonkoma, NY). Peak torque of trunk flexion and extension in hemiplegic patients was significantly smaller than that of healthy controls (P < 0.05), except isometric trunk flexion (P > 0.05). The weakness of trunk flexion-extension muscles in hemiplegic patients might be accounted for by the bilateral innervation from the motor cortex, the insufficient use of high threshold motor units, and disuse atrophy.
Tanaka
S
S
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.
Hachisuka
K
K
Ogata
H
H
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013909:Thorax / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019415:Torque