title: Evaluating the contribution of a neural component of ankle joint resistive torque in patients with stroke using a manual device.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the methodology using a manual ankle joint resistive torque measurement device to evaluate the contribution of the neural component of ankle joint resistive torque in patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within-subject comparison to compare the ankle joint resistive torque between fast and slow stretching conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with stroke participated in this study. The incremental ratio of ankle joint resistive torque at the ankle angular position of 5degrees dorsiflexion under the fast stretching condition in comparison to the slow one was calculated in each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase (p<0.01) in the ankle joint resistive torque was demonstrated under the fast stretching condition in comparison to the slow one in all patients and the mean ankle joint resistive torque was 4.6 (SD=1.7) Nm under the slow stretching condition, while it was 8.4 (SD=4.1) Nm under the fast stretching condition at the ankle angular position of 5 degrees dorsiflexion. The incremental ratio ranged from 9.4-139.3% among the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study demonstrated the potential advantage of the device to evaluate the contribution of the neural component of ankle joint resistive torque.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China. tkobayashi@orthocareinnovations.com
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Aaron K L
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akazawa
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hutchins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult