OBJECTIVE: The reaching movement has been extensively studied in the literature. However, few studies have performed kinematic and electromyography analysis of this movement in hemiparetic subjects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reaching in hemiparetic subjects post-stroke in their kinematic and electromyographic aspects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four individuals were selected, with mean age of 54.5 ± 10.7 years old, diagnosed with stroke associated with hemiparesis. We conducted an assessment of kinematic and electromyography concurrently during the reaching movement in a sitting posture. Both paretic and non-paretic sides were tested. RESULTS: Statistical differences were found between subjects with respect to displacement (F(3,63) = 3.081, p = 0.03) but no significant difference between the sides investigated (F(1,63) = 1.441, p = 0.23). With respect to joints (shoulder, elbow and wrist), there was a significant difference in the displacement of each one (F(2,63) = 27.496, p = 0.00) as well as between coordinates x, y and z (F(2,63) = 36.702, p = 0.00). In the electromyographic analysis, no significant difference were found between subjects (F(3,31) = 2.437, p = 0.08), between sides (F(1,31) = 3.384, p = 0.07) and between muscles (F(4,31) = 0.942, p = 0.45). There was a difference in the time of movement execution when comparing the paretic with non-paretic side. CONCLUSION: The kinematic and electromyographic analysis, in general, showed results similar to those found in the literature. However, this study adds a systematic vision of the reaching movement, considering functional aspects, differing from other studies to present, simultaneously, kinematic and electromyographic analysis and investigate both upper limbs.
Stroke; Hemiparesis; Kinematic; Electromyography
