title: The use of fractional parameter in analyzing motor unit discharge pattern in stroke patients: a correlation with the functional independence measurement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have previously demonstrated that the fractional parameter has significant correlation with the muscle strength of patients with stroke. In this study, we have investigated whether fractional parameter can be used to objectively document stroke patients' functional level (using FIM scores).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty motor units were recorded in abductor pollicis brevis, first dorsal interosseous, and abductor digiti minimi muscles in 18 stroke patients. Patients' FIM scores, obtained fractional parameters, and serial correlation coefficients were analyzed and statistical determination was made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical significance was found between fractional parameters and motor items of FIMs (except selfcare category); no statistical significant correlation was found between SSC and FIM scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fractional parameter could be a useful tool for measuring motor function at a single motor unit level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine & Restorative Medical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turan
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chira-Adisai
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Shahani
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013933:Thumb / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed