title: Potential predictors of lower extremity impairments in motor coordination of stroke survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is well recognized that the negative motor impairments following upper motor neuron damage, e.g., loss of strength and dexterity (motor coordination), mostly contribute to disability. Many factors may predict impairments in motor coordination (MC) and the identifications of these factors could help rehabilitation professionals to select variables to be considered in the evaluation and interventions aimed at improving MC of the lower limbs after stroke.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the potential predictors of motor coordination (MC) of the paretic lower limb with stroke subjects, as assessed by the Lower Limb Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and six stroke subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The selected potential predictors of the LEMOCOT scores were age, gender, motor recovery and sensation of the lower limb, tonus of the knee extensor and plantar flexor muscles, and strength of the hip flexor and knee flexor/extensor muscles. Step-wise multiple regression was employed for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only motor recovery, tonus of the plantar flexor muscles, and age reached significance (P<0.05) and, consequently, were kept in the model. Motor recovery alone was able to explain 46% (F=89.0, P<0.001) of the variance in the LEMOCOT scores. When tonus of the plantar flexor muscles and age were included in the model, the explained variance increased to 54% (F=42.0, P<0.001). Lower limb motor recovery was positively associated with the LEMOCOT scores, whereas the tonus of the plantar flexor muscles and age were negatively correlated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Motor recovery of the lower limb, tonus of the plantar flexor muscles, and age were significant predictors of MC of the paretic lower limb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings could help rehabilitation professionals to evaluate MC deficits and plan interventions aimed at improving MC of the lower limbs for stroke subjects, based upon the knowledge of the possible factors that could contribute to MC impairments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal de Minas Gerais University, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil - lfts@ufmg.br, keniakiefer@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Kenia K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Aline A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Scianni
authors.forename: Iza
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Faria-Fortini
authors.forename: Patrick R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Avelino
authors.forename: Augusto C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Christina D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Luci F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Teixeira-Salmela
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*