The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of - both constant as intermittent - local application of deep pressure on muscle activity and general relaxation in persons with hypertonia following stroke.
This study will be carried out in 20 persons with hypertonia following stroke. There will be one single test occasion, during which 6 test trials will be performed in random order. Deep pressure will be applied by means of a Johnstone air splint, that will be (1) not inflated, (2) inflated constantly, or (3) inflated intermittently. Each of these 3 inflation conditions will be performed twice, i.e. with and without a non-hemiplegic arm movement (triggering hypertonia at hemiplegic side).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
inflation of the Johnstone air splint gives a constant local deep pression on the hemiplegic arm
continuous inflation and deflation of the Johnstone air splint gives an intermittent local deep pression on the hemiplegic arm
no deep pressure applied by the air splint
Ghent University
Ghent, Belgium
EMG of biceps brachii
electromyographic frequency analysis of biceps brachii muscle activity at the hemiplegic side
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
EMG of triceps brachii
electromyographic frequency analysis of triceps brachii muscle activity at the hemiplegic side
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
EMG of pectoralis major
electromyographic frequency analysis of pectoralis major muscle activity at the hemiplegic side
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
MyotonPRO measurement of pectoralis major muscle tone
MyotonPRO measurement of pectoralis major muscle tone
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
heart rate
heart rate measurement assessed with the Zehpyr bioharness
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
heart rate variability
heart rate variability assessed with the Zehpyr bioharness
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
respiratory rate
respiratory rate assessed with the Zehpyr bioharness
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
subjective rating of hypertonia
visual analogue scale rating of the intensity of hypertonia, in which the degree of hypertonia has to be situated between "0" (no hypertonia) and "10" (very severe hypertonia)
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non-hemiplegic arm is flexed and extended 5 times, with a weight of 5kg in the hand, in order to trigger hypertonia in the hemiplegic arm
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
MyotonPRO measurement of pectoralis major elasticity
MyotonPRO measurement of pectoralis major elasticity
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months
MyotonPRO measurement of pectoralis major stiffness
MyotonPRO measurement of pectoralis major stiffness
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 5 months