scholarly journals Upper Extremity Motor Impairments and Microstructural Changes in Bulbospinal Pathways in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meriel Owen ◽  
Carson Ingo ◽  
Julius P. A. Dewald
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Microstructural Changes ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Motor Impairments in Ambulatory Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke: Evidence for Lower Extremity Weakness and Abnormal Muscle and Joint Torque Coupling Patterns

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 814-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Sánchez ◽  
Ana Maria Acosta ◽  
Roberto Lopez-Rosado ◽  
Arno H. A. Stienen ◽  
Julius P. A. Dewald
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Hip Extension ◽  
Flexion And Extension

Although global movement abnormalities in the lower extremity poststroke have been studied, the expression of specific motor impairments such as weakness and abnormal muscle and joint torque coupling patterns have received less attention. We characterized changes in strength, muscle coactivation and associated joint torque couples in the paretic and nonparetic extremity of 15 participants with chronic poststroke hemiparesis (age 59.6 ± 15.2 years) compared with 8 age-matched controls. Participants performed isometric maximum torques in hip abduction, adduction, flexion and extension, knee flexion and extension, ankle dorsi- and plantarflexion and submaximal torques in hip extension and ankle plantarflexion. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) of 10 lower extremity muscles were measured. Relative weakness (paretic extremity compared with the nonparetic extremity) was measured in poststroke participants. Differences in EMGs and joint torques associated with maximum voluntary torques were tested using linear mixed effects models. Results indicate significant poststroke torque weakness in all degrees of freedom except hip extension and adduction, adductor coactivation during extensor tasks, in addition to synergistic muscle coactivation patterns. This was more pronounced in the paretic extremity compared with the nonparetic extremity and with controls. Results also indicated significant interjoint torque couples during maximum and submaximal hip extension in both extremities of poststroke participants and in controls only during maximal hip extension. Additionally, significant interjoint torque couples were identified only in the paretic extremity during ankle plantarflexion. A better understanding of these motor impairments is expected to lead to more effective interventions for poststroke gait and posture.

scholarly journals Volume and intramuscular fat content of upper extremity muscles in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay R. P. Garmirian ◽  
Ana Maria Acosta ◽  
Ryan Schmid ◽  
Jules P. A. Dewald
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Intramuscular Fat ◽  
Muscle Volume ◽  
Contractile Element ◽  
Paretic Limb ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Wrist Flexors

AbstractStroke survivors often experience upper extremity deficits that make activities of daily living (ADLs) like dressing, cooking and bathing difficult or impossible. Survivors experience paresis, the inability to efficiently and fully activate muscles, which combined with decreased use of the upper extremity, will lead to muscle atrophy and potentially an increase in intramuscular fat. Muscle atrophy has been linked to weakness post stroke and is an important contributor to upper extremity deficits. However, the extent of upper extremity atrophy post hemiparetic stroke is unknown and a better understanding of these changes is needed to inform the direction of intervention-based research. In this study, the volume of contractile tissue and intramuscular fat in the elbow and wrist flexors and extensors were quantified in the paretic and non-paretic upper limb using MRI and the Dixon technique for the first time. Total muscle volume (p≤0.0005) and contractile element volume (p≤0.0005) were significantly smaller in the paretic upper extremity, for all muscle groups studied. The average percent difference between limbs and across participants was 21.3% for muscle volume and 22.9% for contractile element volume. We also found that while the percent intramuscular fat was greater in the paretic limb compared to the non-paretic (p≤0.0005), however, the volume of intramuscular fat was not significantly different between upper limbs (p=0.231). The average volumes of intramuscular fat for the elbow flexors/extensors and wrist flexors/extensors were 28.1, 28.8 and 19.9, 8.8 cm3 in the paretic limb and 29.6, 27.7 and 19.7, 8.8 cm3 in the non-paretic limb. In short, these findings indicate a decrease in muscle volume and not an increase in intramuscular fat, which will contribute to the reduction in strength in the paretic upper limb.

scholarly journals Reduction in voluntary activation of elbow and wrist muscles in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay R. P. Garmirian ◽  
Julius P. A. Dewald ◽  
Ana Maria Acosta
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Voluntary Activation ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Twitch Interpolation ◽  
Paretic Limb ◽  
Full Capacity ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Wrist Flexors

AbstractAfter a stroke, descending drive is impaired due to the loss of corticospinal and corticobulbar projections which causes a reduction in voluntary activation or an inability of the nervous system to activate muscles to their full capacity, which in turn contributes to weakness of the upper extremity. Voluntary activation has not been quantified at specific joints in the upper extremity, in part because directly assessing changes descending drive is difficult. In this study, voluntary activation of elbow and wrist flexors and extensors was assessed in participants with chronic hemiparetic stroke using twitch interpolation. Twitch interpolation uses electrical stimulation to estimate voluntary activation and relies on the principle that there is an inverse relationship between the amplitude of a twitch evoked by a stimulus and the voluntary force output during stimulation (Taylor, 2009). We measured voluntary activation using twitch interpolation as well as maximum voluntary torque (MVT) of the elbow and wrist flexors and extensors in the paretic and non-paretic limb of ten participants post stroke and the dominant and non-dominant limb of 2 control participants. Results show, MVT interlimb differences were significantly greater for stroke participants compared to control, across muscle groups (p≤0.005). For stroke participants, MVT interlimb differences were significantly greater at the wrist compared to the elbow (P=0.003). Voluntary activation was significantly less in the paretic limb compared to the non-paretic, dominant and non-dominant limbs, across participants and muscle groups (p<0.005 for all four muscle groups). For the stroke participants, the voluntary activation interlimb difference was significantly greater for the wrist muscles compared to the elbow muscles (p<0.005). There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.39, P = .022) between each participant’s impairment level, as measured by a hand specific subscore of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the wrist extensor voluntary activation in the paretic limb but the relationship was not significant for the other muscle groups.

scholarly journals Motor Impairment–Related Alterations in Biceps and Triceps Brachii Fascicle Lengths in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 799-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa M. Nelson ◽  
Wendy M. Murray ◽  
Julius P. A. Dewald
Keyword(s):  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Distal Portion ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Triceps Brachii ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Paretic Limb ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Long Head ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

Poststroke deficits in upper extremity function occur during activities of daily living due to motor impairments of the paretic arm, including weakness and abnormal synergies, both of which result in altered use of the paretic arm. Over time, chronic disuse and a resultant flexed elbow posture may result in secondary changes in the musculoskeletal system that may limit use of the arm and impact functional mobility. This study utilized extended field-of-view ultrasound to measure fascicle lengths of the biceps (long head) and triceps (distal portion of the lateral head) brachii in order to investigate secondary alterations in muscles of the paretic elbow. Data were collected from both arms in 11 individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke, with moderate to severe impairment as classified by the Fugl-Meyer assessment score. Across all participants, significantly shorter fascicles were observed in both biceps and triceps brachii ( P < .0005) in the paretic limb under passive conditions. The shortening in paretic fascicle length relative to the nonparetic arm measured under passive conditions remained observable during active muscle contraction for the biceps but not for the triceps brachii. Finally, average fascicle length differences between arms were significantly correlated to impairment level, with more severely impaired participants showing greater shortening of paretic biceps fascicle length relative to changes seen in the triceps across all elbow positions ( r = −0.82, P = .002). Characterization of this secondary adaptation is necessary to facilitate development of interventions designed to reduce or prevent the shortening from occurring in the acute stages of recovery poststroke.

scholarly journals Effects of Altered Neural Input and Botulinum Toxin on Finger and Wrist Passive Properties in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin I Binder-Markey ◽  
Wendy M Murray ◽  
Julius P.A. Dewald
Keyword(s):  
Hand Function ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Optimal Recovery ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Sleep State ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Neural Input ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposeFollowing a hemiparetic stroke, prolonged altered motor neuron inputs may drive passive mechanical changes within muscle that further amplify brain injury induced motor impairments, reducing optimal recovery. However, due to confounding factors, i.e. muscle hypertonicity and spasticity, and the use of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), chemical denervation to reduce their expression, there is no consensus on how altered neural inputs following a stroke affect muscle passive mechanical properties or the extent to which these properties ultimately limit functional recovery. Therefore, the objective of this study is to quantify muscle passive biomechanical properties following chronic hemiparetic stroke and BoNT.MethodsPassive torques about the wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints were quantified in both hands of 34 individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Participants’ hand impairments ranged from severe to mild with a subset who previously received BoNT injections. Torques were quantified with subjects in a sleep or near-sleep state, mitigating muscle hyperactivity. EMGs were continuously monitored to ensure no muscle activity during data collection.ResultsParticipants who previously received BoNT injections demonstrated significantly greater passive flexion torques about their paretic wrist and fingers as compared to those who never received BoNT. As a result, only the group who received BoNT demonstrated significant decreases in passive MCP extension.ConclusionsThe results of our thorough investigation of in vivo passive elastic torques at the wrist and fingers in chronic hemiparetic stroke contrast with the increased stiffness and decreased passive ROM observed clinically and in many previous studies. We highlight the need to effective address both stroke-induced muscle hyperactivity and BoNT treatment history as confounds. We conclude that loss of hand function post-stroke is predominantly due to motor impairments post stroke. Adverse effects of BoNT warrant consideration in future studies and rehabilitation interventions.

scholarly journals Serial sarcomere number is substantially decreased within the paretic biceps brachii in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (26) ◽  
pp. e2008597118
Author(s):  
Amy N. Adkins ◽  
Julius P. A. Dewald ◽  
Lindsay P. Garmirian ◽  
Christa M. Nelson ◽  
Wendy M. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Second Harmonic ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Passive Resistance ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Sarcomere Number

A muscle’s structure, or architecture, is indicative of its function and is plastic; changes in input to or use of the muscle alter its architecture. Stroke-induced neural deficits substantially alter both input to and usage of individual muscles. We combined in vivo imaging methods (second-harmonic generation microendoscopy, extended field-of-view ultrasound, and fat-suppression MRI) to quantify functionally meaningful architecture parameters in the biceps brachii of both limbs of individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke and in age-matched, unimpaired controls. Specifically, serial sarcomere number (SSN) and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) were calculated from data collected at three anatomical scales: sarcomere length, fascicle length, and muscle volume. The interlimb differences in SSN and PCSA were significantly larger for stroke participants than for participants without stroke (P = 0.0126 and P = 0.0042, respectively), suggesting we observed muscle adaptations associated with stroke rather than natural interlimb variability. The paretic biceps brachii had ∼8,200 fewer serial sarcomeres and ∼2 cm2 smaller PCSA on average than the contralateral limb (both P < 0.0001). This was manifested by substantially smaller muscle volumes (112 versus 163 cm3), significantly shorter fascicles (11.0 versus 14.0 cm; P < 0.0001), and comparable sarcomere lengths (3.55 versus 3.59 μm; P = 0.6151) between limbs. Most notably, this study provides direct evidence of the loss of serial sarcomeres in human muscle observed in a population with neural impairments that lead to disuse and chronically place the affected muscle at a shortened position. This adaptation is consistent with functional consequences (increased passive resistance to elbow extension) that would amplify already problematic, neurally driven motor impairments.

scholarly journals Serial sarcomere number is substantially decreased within the paretic biceps brachii in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy N. Adkins ◽  
Julius P.A. Dewald ◽  
Lindsay Garmirian ◽  
Christa M. Nelson ◽  
Wendy M. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Second Harmonic ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Sarcomere Number

ABSTRACTA muscle’s structure, or architecture, is indicative of its function and is plastic; changes in input to or use of the muscle alter its architecture. Stroke-induced neural deficits substantially alter both input to and usage of individual muscles. Here, we combined novel in vivo imaging methods (second harmonic generation microendoscopy, extended field-of-view ultrasound, and fat-supression MRI) to quantify functionally meaningful muscle architecture parameters in the biceps brachii of both limbs of individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke and in age-matched, unimpaired controls. Specifically, serial sarcomere number and physiological cross-sectional area were calculated from data collected at three anatomical scales: sarcomere length, fascicle length, and muscle volume. Our data indicate that the paretic biceps brachii had ~8,500 fewer serial sarcomeres compared to the contralateral limb (p=0.0044). In the single joint posture tested, the decreased serial sarcomere number was manifested by significantly shorter fascicles (10.7cm vs 13.6cm; p<0.0001) without significant differences in sarcomere lengths (3.58μm vs. 3.54μm; p=0.6787) in the paretic compared to the contralateral biceps. No interlimb differences were observed in unimpaired controls, suggesting we observed muscle adaptations associated with stroke rather than natural interlimb variability. This study provides the first direct evidence of the loss of serial sarcomeres in human muscle, observed in a population with neural impairments that lead to disuse and chronically place the affected muscle at a shortened position. This adaptation is consistent with functional consequences (increased passive resistance to elbow extension) that would amplify already problematic, neurally driven motor impairments.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSerial sarcomere number determines a muscle’s length during maximum force production and its available length range for active force generation. Skeletal muscle length adapts to functional demands; for example, animal studies demonstrate that chronically shortened muscles decrease length by losing serial sarcomeres. This phenomenon has never been demonstrated in humans. Integrating multi-scale imaging techniques, including two photon microendoscopy, an innovative advance from traditional, invasive measurement methods at the sarcomere scale, we establish that chronic impairments that place a muscle in a shortened position are associated with the loss of serial sarcomeres in humans. Understanding how muscle adapts following impairment is critical to the design of more effective clinical interventions to mitigate such adaptations and to improve function following motor impairments.

scholarly journals Factors related to daily use of the paretic upper limb in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke–A retrospective cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247998
Author(s):  
Syoichi Tashiro ◽  
Miho Kuroki ◽  
Kohei Okuyama ◽  
Osamu Oshima ◽  
Miho Ogura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chronic Stroke ◽  
Sensory Function ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Upper Extremity Rehabilitation ◽  
Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

Aims The present study aimed to determine factors associated with the frequency of paralyzed upper extremity (UE) use in chronic stroke patients with severe UE functional deficiency. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 138 consecutive patients, and 117 was analyzed (median age, 55 [range, 18–85] years; median stroke duration, 24.5 [range, 7–302] months) with chronic hemiparetic stroke who were admitted to our hospital for intensive upper extremity rehabilitation. The mean Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) UE score was 28.6. All of them are independent in their activity of daily living (ADL) and without remarkable cognitive deficits. Amount-of-use score of Motor Activity Log-14 (MAL-AOU) was applied as the index of daily use of affected UE. The following parameters were examined as the explanatory variables: demographics, proximal and distal sub-scores of FMA UE, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and sensory function scores in the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS). Results The median MAL-AOU score was 0.57 [range, 0.28–0.80]. Ordinal regression analysis revealed that FMA proximal, FMA distal, and SIAS sensory function (touch) were associated with AOU score of MAL-14 (Pseudo R-square = 0.460). Conclusion Not only motor but also sensory function, especially tactile sensation, play a crucial role in the daily use of affected UE in chronic stroke patients with severe UE hemiparesis.

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