Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
Kinematic Analysis Using 3D Motion Capture of Drinking Task in People With and Without Upper-extremity Impairments
Published on: March 28, 2018
Three-dimensional shoulder complex kinematics in individuals with upper extremity impairment from chronic stroke
Peter J Rundquist1, Michelle Dumit, Jeannie Hartley
1University of Indianapolis, Krannert School of Physical Therapy, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA. prundquist@uindy.edu
Purpose:
To evaluate shoulder complex kinematics in persons with chronic upper extremity (UE) impairments due to stroke and determine if kinematics predicts motor function based on the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA).
Methods:
Sixteen stroke survivors with chronic UE impairments (age range = 46-80 years, male = 8, female = 8, mean (SD) 66 (40) months post-stroke) performed the UE portion of the FMA with the shoulder/elbow subscale (FM_se) documented. Three-dimensional kinematics of the shoulder complex was collected with the Motion Monitor™ (Innsport, Chicago, IL, USA). Participants performed three repetitions of arm elevation in the frontal, sagittal and self-selected planes. The third repetition was analyzed. Scapular and humeral kinematics were calculated in the self-selected plane. Scapulohumeral rhythm was analyzed at peak elevation. Backward stepwise regression analysis predicted kinematic contributions to the FM_se.
Results:
Mean (SD) FM_se score was 25.3 1(10.9). Peak humeral elevation ranged from 45.6° to 129.2° (median 106.7°). Scapulohumeral rhythm was 4.1:1 when humeral elevation ranged from 45° to 50°, 1.5:1 from 80° to 95° and 2.1:1 from 105° to 130°. Humeral elevation, scapular upward rotation and scapular internal rotation predicted 65.4% of FM_se score variability.
Conclusions:
Persons with chronic UE impairments from stroke demonstrated reduced peak elevation and altered scapulohumeral rhythm. Three predictors of the FM_se were humeral elevation, scapular upward rotation and scapular internal rotation.
