Individualized muscle architecture and contractile properties of ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors in post-stroke individuals.

Objective: This study was to investigate alterations in contractile properties of the ankle plantar- and dorsiflexors in post-stroke individuals. The correlation between muscle architecture parameters and contractile properties was also evaluated.

Methods: Eight post-stroke individuals and eight age-matched healthy subjects participated in the study.

Validity, Intra-Rater Reliability and Normative Data of the Neuroflexor™ Device to Measure Spasticity of the Ankle Plantar Flexors after Stroke.

Objective: Quantification of lower limb spasticity after stroke and the differentiation of neural from passive muscle resistance remain key clinical challenges. The aim of this study was to validate the novel NeuroFlexor foot module, to assess the intrarater reliability of measurements and to identify normative cut-off values.

Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic stroke with clinical history of spasticity and 18 healthy subjects were examined with the NeuroFlexor foot module at controlled velocities.

Effects of 60 Min Electrostimulation With the EXOPULSE Mollii Suit on Objective Signs of Spasticity.

The EXOPULSE Mollii method is an innovative full-body suit approach for non-invasive electrical stimulation, primarily designed to reduce disabling spasticity and improve motor function through the mechanism of reciprocal inhibition. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of one session of stimulation with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit at different stimulation frequencies on objective signs of spasticity and clinical measures, and the subjective perceptions of the intervention. Twenty patients in the chronic phase after stroke were enrolled in a cross-over, double-blind controlled study.

Recovery and Prediction of Bimanual Hand Use After Stroke.

Objective: To determine similarities and differences in key predictors of recovery of bimanual hand use and unimanual motor impairment after stroke.

Method: In this prospective longitudinal study, 89 patients with first-ever stroke with arm paresis were assessed at 3 weeks and 3 and 6 months after stroke onset. Bimanual activity performance was assessed with the Adult Assisting Hand Assessment Stroke (Ad-AHA), and unimanual motor impairment was assessed with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA).

Passive Mechanical Properties of Human Medial Gastrocnemius and Soleus Musculotendinous Unit.

The characterization of the passive mechanical properties of the human triceps surae musculotendinous unit is important for gaining a deeper understanding of the interactive responses of the tendon and muscle tissues to loading during passive stretching. This study sought to quantify a comprehensive set of passive muscle-tendon properties such as slack length, stiffness, and the stress-strain relationship using a combination of ultrasound imaging and a three-dimensional motion capture system in healthy adults. By measuring tendon length, the cross-section areas of the Achilles tendon subcompartments (i.

Feasibility and potential effects of using the electro-dress Mollii on spasticity and functioning in chronic stroke.

Background: Spasticity after lesions of central motor pathways may be disabling and there is a need for new, cost-effective treatment methods. One novel approach is offered by the electro-dress Mollii®, primarily designed to enhance reciprocal inhibition of spastic muscles by multifocal, transcutaneous antagonist stimulation.

Methods: The Mollii® suit was set individually for 20 participants living with spasticity and hemiplegia after stroke and used in the home setting for 6 weeks.

Recovery and Prediction of Dynamic Precision Grip Force Control After Stroke.

Background and Purpose- Dexterous object manipulation, requiring generation and control of finger forces, is often impaired after stroke. This study aimed to describe recovery of precision grip force control after stroke and to determine clinical and imaging predictors of 6-month performance. Methods- Eighty first-ever stroke patients with varying degrees of upper limb weakness were evaluated at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after stroke.

In vivo muscle morphology comparison in post-stroke survivors using ultrasonography and diffusion tensor imaging.

Skeletal muscle architecture significantly influences the performance capacity of a muscle. A DTI-based method has been recently considered as a new reference standard to validate measurement of muscle structure in vivo. This study sought to quantify muscle architecture parameters such as fascicle length (FL), pennation angle (PA) and muscle thickness (t) in post-stroke patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to quantitatively compare the differences with 2D ultrasonography (US) and DTI.

Normative NeuroFlexor data for detection of spasticity after stroke: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Objective: The NeuroFlexor is a novel instrument for quantification of neural, viscous and elastic components of passive movement resistance. The aim of this study was to provide normative data and cut-off values from healthy subjects and to use these to explore signs of spasticity at the wrist and fingers in patients recovering from stroke.

Methods: 107 healthy subjects (age range 28-68 years; 51 % females) and 39 stroke patients (age range 33-69 years; 33 % females), 2-4 weeks after stroke, were assessed with the NeuroFlexor.