ABSTRACT
A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a disease that often causes upper limb motor limitations and functional losses in reaching movements. The objective of this study was to analyze the muscle recruitment of the paretic upper limb during three reaching conditions: active, active-assisted and self-assisted, through electromyographic data of anterior fibers of Deltoid Muscle (DM), Biceps Brachii (BB) and Triceps Brachii (TB). Cross-sectional study that used as clinical trials the Mini-Mental State Examination, Berg balance scale, functional independence measure, the modified Ashworth scale, and the Fugl-Meyer assessment - upper limbs section. Surface electromyographic data were collected using the electromyograph and bipolar electrode configuration of the EMG System do Brasil with three channels positioned in the motor points of DM (anterior fibers), BB and TB of both upper limbs. Clinical variables showed mild motor, cognitive, and functional impairment. Electromyographic data showed that DM and TB contracted more during active-assisted than during self-assisted exercise (p<0.05). DM and TB presented significant differences during reaching movements, while the BB muscle showed no changes. Among the different reaching exercises, the active-assisted was the one that provided greater muscle activation. Clinical trials are suggested to verify the effectiveness of the training.
Keywords
Stroke; Electromyography; Rehabilitation; Physical Therapy Specialty