Scapulohumeral Kinematics in Individuals with Upper Extremity Impairment from Stroke

The mobility of the shoulder girdle is a complex interaction of arthrology and neuromotor control[1]. Over 780,000 persons in the United States have a new or recurrent stroke each year. Residual, motor impairments such as weakness and incoordination can lead to changes in shoulder function and mobility. Alterations in shoulder elevation and scapular upward rotation are related to shoulder pain in persons with hemiparesis from subacute stroke[2,3]. Despite therapeutic efforts, as many as 80% of persons with stroke continue to have residual deficits, particularly within the paretic, affected limb. Additionally, it has been suggested that in individuals with stroke the upper extremity ipsilateral (“less affected”) to the lesion may also exhibit deficits. However, there is little literature that examines the scapulohumeral kinematics of the paretic and less affected limbs in persons with chronic stroke and that compares the less affected limb kinematics to individuals without upper extremity impairment.