THE DISUSE MUSCLE ATROPHY IN THE HEMIPLEGIC PATIENTS
THE MUSCLE WEAKNESS IN THE “UNAFFECTED” EXTREMITIES
1988 Volume 25 Issue 3 Pages 143-147
Details
1988 Volume 25 Issue 3 Pages 143-147
As a part of studies on disuse syndrome in hemiplegia, muscle power [isokinetic torque, isometric torque] in the “unaffected” upper and lower extremities of 72 hemiplegic patients was measured with a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. These patients had been receiving training in a rehabilitation hospital and were mostly ambulatory with or without assistance. The same measurement was made in normal subjects matched with the patients in the age and sex.
The analysis of the results revealed the following.
1) Peak torque value and isometric torque values in the upper extremity (elbow flexion and extension) and lower (knee flexion and extension) of hemiplegic patients were significantly lower than those of normal subject. The ratios were 42.2-82.6%.
2)There was negative relationship between the muscle power and the period of time after the stroke. This was interpreted that the muscle weakness in “unaffected” side is not due to latent central motor paralysis but to disuse atrophy.
3) The results of this study may suggest that disuse muscle atrophy is not being prevented in present rehabilitation program.
