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Sensory Function, Measured as Active Discriminative Touch, is Associated With Dexterity after Stroke
Author(s) -
Carlsson Håkan,
Ekstrand Elisabeth,
Brogårdh Christina
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
pmandr
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1934-1563
pISSN - 1934-1482
DOI - 10.1002/pmrj.12044
Subject(s) - stroke (engine) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , proprioception , spasticity , medicine , grip strength , discriminative model , physical therapy , sensory system , upper limb , modified ashworth scale , dynamometer , psychology , artificial intelligence , mechanical engineering , computer science , cognitive psychology , engineering , aerospace engineering
Background Reduced dexterity is common after stroke, which can affect the ability to perform upper limb daily activities. To improve upper limb function after stroke, it is important to understand which factors are most associated with dexterity. Objective To evaluate how several factors are associated with dexterity after stroke. Design Cross‐sectional study. Setting A university hospital. Participants A convenience sample of 75 persons (54 men and 21 women, mean age 66 years) with mild to moderate impairments of the upper limb after stroke. Methods Dexterity and potentially associated factors (age, gender, affected hand, social situation, vocational situation, grip strength, spasticity, sensory function, and pain) were evaluated by linear regression models. Main Outcome Measurements Dexterity was measured with the mini Sollerman Hand Function Test, sensory function with both the Fugl‐Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (to assess light touch and proprioception) and the Shape Texture Identification Test (to assess active discriminative touch), spasticity with the Modified Ashworth Scale, and grip strength with the Grippit dynamometer. Results Active discriminative touch had the strongest association with dexterity, explaining 46% of the variance. When spasticity and grip strength were added, the explained variance increased to 57% in the final multivariate model. Conclusions This study indicates that sensory function in terms of active discriminative touch is a major contributing factor to dexterity in persons with mild to moderate stroke, whereas spasticity and grip strength may be of lesser importance. Level of Evidence III