TY - GEN
T1 - An evaluation of passive properties of spastic muscles in hemiparetic stroke survivors
AU - Chardon, Matthieu K.
AU - Suresh, Nina L.
AU - Rymer, William Z.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - We have reported earlier [1] a new method for estimating reflex threshold in spastic muscles of stroke survivors, using controlled amplitude taps superimposed on progressive and controlled muscle indentation of the bicipital tendon in the bicipital fossa. This muscle indentation is done with a linear actuator positioned over the biceps muscle tendon at the elbow. In the course of testing for increased stretch reflex responses, (a cardinal feature of spasticity), we have also observed that the intrinsic or passive stiffness of the muscle is often increased. This assessment is derived from recordings of the force generated by the tendon during progressive loading, and by the instantaneous force response to the tendon tap. Thus, it appears that passive properties of muscle are often also changed in parallel with the reflex abnormalities. While some of these mechanical features have been described in earlier studies of torque-angle relations of spastic joints, it appears that these features can also be recognized readily using a small actuator that loads the tendon progressively. These findings may help clinicians recognize early changes in muscle mechanical properties, and may help them prevent large-scale adverse changes in muscle function.
AB - We have reported earlier [1] a new method for estimating reflex threshold in spastic muscles of stroke survivors, using controlled amplitude taps superimposed on progressive and controlled muscle indentation of the bicipital tendon in the bicipital fossa. This muscle indentation is done with a linear actuator positioned over the biceps muscle tendon at the elbow. In the course of testing for increased stretch reflex responses, (a cardinal feature of spasticity), we have also observed that the intrinsic or passive stiffness of the muscle is often increased. This assessment is derived from recordings of the force generated by the tendon during progressive loading, and by the instantaneous force response to the tendon tap. Thus, it appears that passive properties of muscle are often also changed in parallel with the reflex abnormalities. While some of these mechanical features have been described in earlier studies of torque-angle relations of spastic joints, it appears that these features can also be recognized readily using a small actuator that loads the tendon progressively. These findings may help clinicians recognize early changes in muscle mechanical properties, and may help them prevent large-scale adverse changes in muscle function.
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U2 - 10.1109/IEMBS.2010.5626155
DO - 10.1109/IEMBS.2010.5626155
M3 - Conference contribution
C2 - 21095718
AN - SCOPUS:78650819368
SN - 9781424441235
T3 - 2010 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC'10
SP - 2993
EP - 2996
BT - 2010 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC'10
T2 - 2010 32nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC'10
Y2 - 31 August 2010 through 4 September 2010
ER -