title: Bimanual force variability and chronic stroke: asymmetrical hand control.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate force variability generated by both the paretic and non-paretic hands during bimanual force control. Nine chronic stroke individuals and nine age-matched individuals with no stroke history performed a force control task with both hands simultaneously. The task involved extending the wrist and fingers at 5%, 25%, and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction. Bimanual and unimanual force variability during bimanual force control was determined by calculating the coefficient of variation. Analyses revealed two main findings: (a) greater bimanual force variability in the stroke group than the control group and (b) increased force variability by the paretic hands during bimanual force control in comparison to the non-paretic hands at the 5% and 25% force production conditions. A primary conclusion is that post stroke bimanual force variability is asymmetrical between hands.
authors.affiliation: Motor Behavior Laboratory, Applied Physiology and Kinesiology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nyeonju
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Motor Behavior Laboratory, Applied Physiology and Kinesiology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cauraugh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010291:Paresis / Q000150:complications; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014953:Wrist / Q000503:physiopathology