The Brief Kinesthesia test is feasible and sensitive: a study in stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Clinicians require a quantitative measure for kinesthetic sense, crucial for sensorimotor control of the hand and arm.
• Current assessment tools for kinesthetic sense are limited, hindering effective rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of administering the Brief Kinesthesia Test (BKT).
• To begin validating the BKT by comparing scores between individuals post-stroke and a healthy group.
• To examine the correlation between BKT scores and established sensory and motor function measures.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 12 adults with chronic stroke (mild-moderate hemiparesis) and 12 matched healthy controls.
• Participants performed the BKT by reproducing reaching movements with vision occluded.
• Additional measures included the Hand Active Sensation Test (HASTe), Touch-Test monofilament aesthesiometer, Wolf Motor Function Test, Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Box and Blocks Test (BBT).

Main Results:

• Individuals post-stroke demonstrated significantly poorer performance on the BKT compared to the healthy group for both contralesional and ipsilesional upper extremities.
• The BKT score for the contralesional limb strongly correlated with functional measures like the MAL (how much and how well), Wolf Motor Function Test, and Box and Blocks Test.
• These findings indicate the BKT's sensitivity to motor impairments following stroke.

Conclusions:

• The Brief Kinesthesia Test (BKT) is feasible for clinical administration and effectively identifies kinesthetic deficits in individuals with stroke.
• The BKT demonstrates sensitivity to differences in reaching accuracy, suggesting its potential as a valuable clinical tool.
• Further refinement of the BKT may enhance its utility in assessing post-stroke kinesthetic impairment and guiding rehabilitation.