Determination of trunk and upper extremity motion trajectories during functional activities of stroke patients

This study was carried out to determine the change in movement trajectories by analyzing the kinematic features of functional activities in subacute-chronic stroke patients. 15 stroke patients (7 female and 8 male) with a mean age of 54±11 years, were included in the study. Upper extremity spasticity was evaluated with the Modified Ashworth Scale, and motor functions were evaluated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale. By placing Xsens MVN BIOMECH Awinda IMU sensors on the trunk and bilateral shoulder, elbow and wrist joints, the activities of touching the midpoint of the head, hanging a jacket, eating, putting a wallet in the back pocket of the trousers, washing hands, washing face and pouring water from the jug to the glass were evaluated. As the control group, the activities were performed on the healthy upper extremity of the patients. The kinematic indicators (mean, maximum, and minimum joint angles, maximum and mean angular velocities of the wrist joint, and time to completion of the activity) of the healthy and affected upper extremity and trunk joints of stroke patients during functional activities were defined and a comparison was made between the two sides. A decrease in shoulder flexion angle was found on the affected side compared to the healthy side in the activity of touching the midpoint of the head (p<0,05). It was observed that the patients mostly had problems in eating activity, and they developed compensation mechanisms with increased shoulder abduction, internal rotation, and flexion, especially at the time of taking the spoon to the mouth. Due to the increase in tone in the elbow flexors, the elbow flexion angles of the affected side during activities were found to be higher than the healthy side (p<0,05). It was determined that larger pronation and ulnar deviation angles occurred in the affected extremity, although it varied according to the type of activity. The results of our study will contribute to the literature in terms of determining the motion trajectories of exercise prescription and robotic devices by showing the compensations of functional movements in stroke patients. Keywords: Stroke, kinematic analysis, daily living activities, trunk, upper extremity.