Clinical and kinematic analysis of the hand function of persons with tetraplegic using NMES and hybrid system

Author(s)

Vanessa Maria de Vargas Ferreira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
• Defense date: 2012-12-06

Examining board members

Alberto Cliquet Junior; Nilton Mazzer; Américo Zoppi Filho

• Advisor: Alberto Cliquet Junior

Abstract

Patients with cervical spinal cord injury have dysfunction of the upper limbs with great loss of motor function. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is considered an important tool in rehabilitation. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the function of patients with tetraplegia in the mimetic task of drinking and compare with the use of NMES and a hybrid system (NMES and dynamic orthosis) through clinical evaluation and kinematic analysis. Fourteen patients with tetraplegia level C4 to C7 and 5 able-bodied volunteers participated in the study. Clinical tests were applied to verify the neurological and functional impairment (AIS and FIM) and the mimetic task of drinking was assessed with kinematic during three situations: free movement, with NMES and with the hybrid system. The kinematic variables used were: movement time, peak velocity ratio, index of curvature, sternum trajectory, wrist-sternum distance and hand opening. We also computed the number of successes to perform the task. The results indicate that patients that are able to perform tenodesis grip have greater functional independence through FIM (p=0.0008). The rate of success of the free movement was 60%, 72.8% with NMES and only 47.6% with the hybrid system. In the kinematic analysis the NMES was not different from the free movement, however, patients performed the task in a longer time, the movement was less smooth and the sternum and wrist trajectories were greater than the control group. The use of the hybrid system modified the pattern of movement of the patients, with an increase of the sternum trajectory and decrease of the smoothness. In conclusion, NMES improved the functional activity of patients with C5 level; on the other hand, the use of the hybrid system does not appear to facilitate the prehension of persons with tetraplegia (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/06755-8 - Clinical and kinematic analysis of the hand function of persons with tetraplegia using NMES and hybrid system.
• Grantee: Vanessa Maria de Vargas Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master