Skip to main content
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1990 Feb;53(2):126–134. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.53.2.126

Recovery of elbow function in voluntary positioning of the hand following hemiplegia due to stroke.

A M Wing 1, S Lough 1, A Turton 1, C Fraser 1, J R Jenner 1
PMCID: PMC487952  PMID: 2313299

Abstract

Elbow movement during voluntary positioning of the hand (with the arm supported against gravity) is described in a longitudinal study of five patients recovering from hemiplegia due to stroke. Over a twelve month period, four of the patients improved their speed of movement, three exhibiting slightly better recovery of elbow extension, one of flexion. In some instances co-contraction of the elbow agonist and antagonist (measured just before the onset of movement) decreased with time after stroke. The effects of contrasting movements at the shoulder on elbow movement were also studied. Estimates of recovery were generally similar whether patients kept the shoulder still or made movements that were synergic or counter-synergic to those of the elbow.

Full text

PDF
126

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Annett M., Hudson P. T., Turner A. The reliability of differences between the hands in motor skill. Neuropsychologia. 1974 Oct;12(4):527–531. doi: 10.1016/0028-3932(74)90083-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Colebatch J. G., Gandevia S. C., Spira P. J. Voluntary muscle strength in hemiparesis: distribution of weakness at the elbow. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1986 Sep;49(9):1019–1024. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.49.9.1019. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Corcos D. M., Gottlieb G. L., Penn R. D., Myklebust B., Agarwal G. C. Movement deficits caused by hyperexcitable stretch reflexes in spastic humans. Brain. 1986 Oct;109(Pt 5):1043–1058. doi: 10.1093/brain/109.5.1043. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Crossman E. R., Goodeve P. J. Feedback control of hand-movement and Fitts' Law. Q J Exp Psychol A. 1983 May;35(Pt 2):251–278. doi: 10.1080/14640748308402133. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. De Souza L. H., Hewer R. L., Miller S. Assessment of recovery of arm control in hemiplegic stroke patients. 1. Arm function tests. Int Rehabil Med. 1980;2(1):3–9. doi: 10.3109/09638288009163947. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Fugl-Meyer A. R., Jäskö L., Leyman I., Olsson S., Steglind S. The post-stroke hemiplegic patient. 1. a method for evaluation of physical performance. Scand J Rehabil Med. 1975;7(1):13–31. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Heller A., Wade D. T., Wood V. A., Sunderland A., Hewer R. L., Ward E. Arm function after stroke: measurement and recovery over the first three months. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1987 Jun;50(6):714–719. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.50.6.714. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Lacquaniti F., Soechting J. F. Coordination of arm and wrist motion during a reaching task. J Neurosci. 1982 Apr;2(4):399–408. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.02-04-00399.1982. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. McLellan D. L. C0-contraction and stretch reflexes in spasticity during treatment with baclofen. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1977 Jan;40(1):30–38. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.40.1.30. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Mizrahi E. M., Angel R. W. Impairment of voluntary movement by spasticity. Ann Neurol. 1979 Jun;5(6):594–595. doi: 10.1002/ana.410050620. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Newman M. The process of recovery after hemiplegia. Stroke. 1972 Nov-Dec;3(6):702–710. doi: 10.1161/01.str.3.6.702. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Sahrmann S. A., Norton B. J. The relationship of voluntary movement to spasticity in the upper motor neuron syndrome. Ann Neurol. 1977 Dec;2(6):460–465. doi: 10.1002/ana.410020604. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. TWITCHELL T. E. The restoration of motor function following hemiplegia in man. Brain. 1951 Dec;74(4):443–480. doi: 10.1093/brain/74.4.443. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES