Concurrent and Predictive Validity of Arm Kinematics With and Without a Trunk Restraint During a Reaching Task in Individuals With Stroke.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the concurrent and predictive validity of measurements of kinematic variables during reaching tasks with and without a trunk constraint in individuals with stroke.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trials.

SETTINGS

Hospitals and a laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals with stroke (N=95) enrolled in previous and ongoing clinical trials.

INTERVENTIONS

Upper limb training protocols were 90 to 120 minutes of intervention every weekday for 3 to 4 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Functional capacity was assessed using the Action Research Arm Test and motor impairment using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremity. Movement kinematics were measured during a reaching task with and without a trunk constraint. We derived 5 endpoint control variables and 3 joint recruitment variables for estimating concurrent and predictive validity.

RESULTS

The adjusted R(2) values for the constraint tasks ranged from .24 to .38 and for the unconstraint tasks from .29 to .40. Movement time was the most prominent kinematic variable for the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremity before and after the intervention (P<.05). For the Action Research Arm Test, movement time and endpoint displacement were the most significant variables before and after the intervention, respectively (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Measuring kinematic performance during an unconstrained task is appropriate and possibly sufficient to represent motor impairment and functional capacity of individuals with stroke. Movement time is the dominant variable associated with motor impairment and functional capacity, and endpoint displacement is unique in reflecting functional capacity of individuals with stroke.