Correlation between Affected Arm Muscle Activity and Global Synkinesis in Patients with Stroke

Background: Although there are interventions available for the improvement of arm functions of patients with stroke, measuring changes in global synkinesis (GS) according to changes in the muscle activity of paretic and nonparetic side muscles is an important factor and studies to investigate such potential factors are evaluated necessary. Objective: To examine the correlation between the affected arm muscle activity and GS changes in patients with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In order to measure muscle activities of 30 stroke patients, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii and triceps brachii of the affected arms were measured using surface electromyography (EMG) and for analyzing GS, biceps brachii and triceps brachi of the affected arms were measured using the same instrument. Results: When the correlations between the muscle activity and GS of the affected arm were analyzed, the results showed significant correlations between the posterior deltoid and the triceps brachii(p < .01) and between the triceps brachii and GS(p < .05). Conclusion: : The results of this study suggest that the efficient movements of the affected arms of stroke patients, it is possible to increase extensor activity by improving smooth antagonism of the arm.