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Impaired Discrimination of Sensory Information About Slip Between Object and Skin is Associated With Handgrip Limitation Poststroke

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Jannette M. Blennerhassett ,
Leeanne M. Carey  and
Thomas A. Matyas
Jannette M. Blennerhassett*
Affiliation:
Austin Health: Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Australia; National Stroke Research Institute, Australia; La Trobe University, Australia; University of Melbourne, Australia. [email protected]
Leeanne M. Carey
Affiliation:
National Stroke Research Institute, Australia; La Trobe University, Australia.
Thomas A. Matyas
Affiliation:
National Stroke Research Institute, Australia; La Trobe University, Australia; University of Melbourne, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Jannette Blennerhassett, c/– Physiotherapy Department, Austin Health: Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, 1 Yarra Blvd, Kew VIC 3101, Australia.
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Abstract

Impaired somatosensory processing could contribute to handgrip limitation following stroke. The aim of this study was to examine the association between somatosensory function measured by psychophysical tests and clinical measures of handgrip limitation poststroke. Forty-five people with stroke who could perform a pinch grip task were recruited from rehabilitation settings. Ability to discriminate surface friction, and to match object weight were quantified using psychophysical methods. Handgrip limitation was measured using items of the Motor Assessment Scale, Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test and the Hand Function Survey. Impaired discrimination of surface friction was moderately to weakly associated with handgrip limitation (rs = .36 to .55). In contrast, an association between degree of impairment in matching weight and handgrip limitation poststroke was not observed (rs < .24). The findings suggest that processing of tactile cues arising between the object and skin when training handgrip ability may be beneficial for people with stroke.

Keywords

sensationhand strengthhandgripcerebrovascular disorderspsychophysical tests
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 9 , Issue 2: SPECIAL ISSUE: Stroke Rehabilitation , 01 September 2008 , pp. 114 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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