Using the Movement and Electromyographical Analyses to Assess the Muscle Spasticity

Assessment of Upper Extremity Muscle Spasticity and Impedance Using the Movement and Electromyographical Analyses

This study intends to use an dynamometer and surface electromyography to objectively and quantitatively measure the corresponding force and electromyography signal generated when the hand joint receives stretching by doing circular motion, and further explore the differences and relationships of existing muscle spasm classification, kinetic and kinematic data, upper extremity performance, activity of daily life. In addition, to investigate the differences of kinetic and kinematic data between stroke patient and healthy participants during doing hand circular motion activity.

Purpose 1 : To collect upper limb muscle activity parameters of healthy adults and stroke patients to establish a database of doing hand circular motion activity.

Purpose 2 : To test the reliability of this refined muscle testing by collecting the muscle activity during hand circular motion activity.

Purpose 3 : To compare the results of the EMG signal strength with other evaluation methods such as the modified Ashworth scale and dynamometer to understand the relationship between the EMG signal and each evaluation results.

Purpose 4 : To compare the differences in electromyographic signals, muscle strength, and joint angle between healthy adults and stroke patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 20 to 65 years old
• with the clinical diagnosis of stroke
• Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score ≥ 25 points

Exclusion Criteria:

• pain, subluxation or related medical history of shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints within six months
• surgery on shoulder, elbow or wrist
• with muscle or nerve disorders or diseases that significantly affect the performance of the upper extremities