The relation between neuromechanical parameters and Ashworth score in stroke patients

Quantifying increased joint resistance into its contributing factors i.e. stiffness and viscosity ("hypertonia") and stretch reflexes ("hyperreflexia") is important in stroke rehabilitation. Existing clinical tests, such as the Ashworth Score, do not permit discrimination between underlying tissue and reflexive (neural) properties. We propose an instrumented identification paradigm for early and tailor made interventions.BioMechanical EngineeringMechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineerin

Evaluating the contribution of a neural component of ankle joint resistive torque in patients with stroke using a manual device

Primary 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. Research design: Within-subject comparison to compare the ankle joint resistive torque between fast and slow stretching conditions. Methods and procedures: Ten patients with stroke participated in this study. The incremental ratio of ankle joint resistive torque at the ankle angular position of 5°° dorsiflexion under the fast stretching condition in comparison to the slow one was calculated in each patient. Main outcomes and 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°° 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