Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Determining the Functional Status of the Corticospinal Tract Within One Week of Stroke
Published on: February 22, 2020
Relationship between function, strength and electromyography of upper extremities of persons with tetraplegia
V M de Vargas Ferreira1, R Varoto, Ê W Azevedo Cacho
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, UNICAMP, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil. vavargas@fcm.unicamp.br
Study Design:
Cross-sectional.
Objective:
To analyze the relationships between functional tests, arm strength and root mean square of surface electromyography (EMG).
Setting:
Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Methods:
Twenty-four individuals with chronic tetraplegia participated. Upper extremity motor score (UEMS), functional independence measure (FIM) motor score, spinal cord independence measure III and capabilities of upper extremity (CUE) were performed. Muscle strength of the right elbow flexors-extensors was assessed using dynamometry and manual muscle test (MMT) and EMG of right biceps and triceps brachii were performed. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and Mann-Whitney's U-test were used.
Results:
Functional tests and UEMS correlated strongly among them. UEMS highly correlated with triceps dynamometry and EMG. The dynamometry showed a very high correlation with MMT on the extensor group and a moderate correlation with flexor group. Triceps EMG showed moderate correlation with FIM and CUE. High correlations between triceps EMG and elbow extensors dynamometry and MMT were observed. A significant better performance on functional tests was observed on lower ASIA motor levels. The low-tetraplegia group showed a significant higher score on triceps EMG and dynamometry.
Conclusion:
Arm strength and EMG seem to be related to functional capabilities and independence in chronic tetraplegia.
More Related Videos
07:32Experimental Protocol of a Three-minute, All-out Arm Crank Exercise Test in Spinal-cord Injured and Able-bodied Individuals
Published on: June 8, 2017
05:28Application of a Dual Upper Limb Task-Oriented Robotic System for the Functional Recovery of the Upper Limb in Stroke Patients
Published on: October 11, 2024