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Quantification of Active and Passive Ankle Stiffness Characteristics in the Individual with Chronic Stroke

Reinthal, M. Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1144890325

Abstract Details

2006, PHD, Kent State University, School of Biomedical Sciences.
The aim of this study was to develop noninvasive measurement procedures to identify the passive and active contributions to stiffness during ankle dorsiflexion in individuals with chronic stroke. Joint stiffness was defined as the change in joint moment per unit change in joint angle. Stiffness was compared between the hemiplegic and nonhemiplegic ankles of 24 subjects with stroke, as well as the ankle of 24 age-/sex-matched control subjects. Total stiffness was measured using gait analysis. Passive stiffness was measured using the KinCom dynamometer. By subtracting passive stiffness from total stiffness, an active stiffness component was obtained. The ankle was also passively dorsiflexed at three speeds: slow (3°/sec), high (60°/sec), and at each participant’s walking speed (mean = 35°/sec) to determine the presence of hyperreflexia, as reflected by EMG activity, or velocity dependent viscoelastic changes in stiffness. There was no statistically significant difference in passive or active stiffness between the hemiplegic, nonhemiplegic, or control ankles. However, the hemiplegic ankle was significantly (p < .05) more variable in stiffness than the control ankle. Reflex activity was noted only in a small number of KinCom stretching trials (< 10%) in the hemiplegic and control ankles, and did not correlate with the presence of clonus. Yet, when reflex activity was present, ankle stiffness was significantly greater (p < .05) in the hemiplegic ankle as compared to the nonhemiplegic ankle. Also, stiffness was significantly greater (p < .05) in the hemiplegic ankles that demonstrated reflex activity, than in those that did not. In KinCom stretching trials without evidence of reflex activity, there was a significant difference (p < .05) in stiffness in control and hemiplegic ankles, but not nonhemiplegic ankles, between low and gait velocity trials, reflecting a velocity dependent component to passive ankle stiffness. There was no correlation between clinical measures of spasticity or motor recovery with stiffness.
Mary Verstraete (Advisor)
205 p.
stroke; stiffness; spasticity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Reinthal, M. A. (2006). Quantification of Active and Passive Ankle Stiffness Characteristics in the Individual with Chronic Stroke [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1144890325

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Reinthal, M.. Quantification of Active and Passive Ankle Stiffness Characteristics in the Individual with Chronic Stroke. 2006. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1144890325.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Reinthal, M.. "Quantification of Active and Passive Ankle Stiffness Characteristics in the Individual with Chronic Stroke." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1144890325

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1144890325
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.