Thumb and finger movement is reduced after stroke: An observational study

Hand motor impairment is common after stroke but there are few comprehensive data on amount of hand movement. This study aimed to compare the amount of thumb and finger movement over an extended period of time in people with stroke and able-bodied people. Fifteen stroke subjects and 15 able-bodied control subjects participated. Stroke subjects had impaired hand function. Movement of the thumb and index finger was recorded using stretch sensors worn on the affected hand (stroke subjects) or the left or right hand (control subjects) for ∼4 hours during the day. A digit movement was defined as a monotonic increase or decrease in consecutive sensor values. Instantaneous digit position was expressed as a percentage of maximal digit flexion. Mixed linear models were used to compare the following outcomes between groups: (1) average amplitude of digit movement, (2) digit cadence and average digit velocity, (3) percentage of digit idle time and longest idle time. Amplitude of digit movement was not different between groups. Cadence at the thumb (between-group mean difference, 95% CI, p value: -0.6 movements/sec, -1.0 to -0.2 movements/sec, p = 0.003) and finger (-0.5 movements/sec, -0.7 to -0.3 movements/sec, p