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The assessment of trunk motor control in health and after stroke

Mockova, M; (2014) The assessment of trunk motor control in health and after stroke. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London). Green open access

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Abstract

This study investigated the static and dynamic function of trunk muscles in sitting after stroke. A new apparatus using a novel force-transducing system was developed that enables to study the time-course of development of trunk force magnitude and direction in sitting with or without the pelvis stabilised. In addition, reaction forces between the buttocks and the seat and between each foot and the ground are measured with three independent force plates. 24 healthy subjects were required to exert maximal forces in eight directions, with and without pelvis fixation. Accuracy of the trunk force measurement system was assessed without pelvis fixation by comparing trunk forces with reaction forces from the force plates. The agreement analysis showed a mean bias of the new system of only –3.0 N for force magnitude and 0.72 degree for force direction. The trunk force measurement system was sensitive enough to detect effects of movement direction and pelvis fixation on maximum force magnitude. When subjects repeated the test at a later date there were no significant differences between the two sessions. Trunk muscle strength in voluntary movements was then investigated in 9 stroke patients and 23 controls. Reaction forces were simultaneously recorded at the points of contact of the lower body. This is the first study that demonstrated the relationship between trunk and lower body movements affected by stroke. This was achieved by studying how the forces are transferred from trunk to pelvis and legs during trunk movements. This approach has shown that stroke impairs both prime mover and spine stabilizer trunk muscle function which is further compounded by weakness of pelvis muscles resulting in impairment of co-ordination between trunk and pelvis and deficient stabilization of the whole axis. These results contribute to our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that affect trunk movement and control after stroke.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Title: The assessment of trunk motor control in health and after stroke
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1451073
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