Lin and colleagues conducted a research study to investigate how verbal instructions and target location interact to influence reaching movement of the less-affected limb in participants with unilateral cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and healthy individuals without any history of CVA. Understanding reaching performance with task constraints and the less-affected limb post-stroke may provide helpful information during rehabilitation during bilateral movements. Participants were recruited from two medical centers. A target ball was used to test movement from a switch during reaching for the desk bells, two target locations were examined (the left and right hemispace relative to start position). Healthy participant showed more programmed movements. Speed instructed movements and ipsilateral reach optimized execution of movements for both CVA patients and healthy participants. The difference between healthy individuals and CVA participants, when looking at kinematic performance, showed that CVA participants typically produced fewer programmed movements and with lower force. The less-affected limb is used in many daily activities and can effect performance of those post-CVA, occupational therapy should focus on the less-affected limb as well as the affected limb when utilizing task instructions with this patients.
Lin, K., Wu, C., Lin, K., & Chang, C. (2008) Effects of task instructions and target location on reaching kinematics in people with and without cerebrovascular accident: A study of the less-affected limb. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 456-465.
started by harrisn2 on 19 Nov 15
Lin, K., Wu, C., Lin, K., & Chang, C. (2008) Effects of task instructions and target location on reaching kinematics in people with and without cerebrovascular accident: A study of the less-affected limb. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 456-465.