OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to design and implement a transducer to measure accurately the isometric elbow moments produced by individuals with tetraplegia. DESIGN: The device needed to be insensitive to off-axis moments and proximal joint motions and be capable of being used over a wide range of elbow and shoulder positions in an outpatient clinic setting. BACKGROUND: Measurement of the smaller isometric moments produced by individuals with tetraplegia is especially sensitive to the errors that can be introduced by inaccurate lever arm determination, off-axis loads, and proximal joint motions. Devices traditionally utilized for quantifying isometric strength are difficult to implement for the spinal cord injured population. METHODS: The elbow moment transducer consists of two four-bar parallelogram linkages joined by a lockable pivot. Strain gauges mounted on one beam of the parallelogram produce an output proportional to the elbow moment. RESULTS: Calibration of the device indicates that it accurately quantifies isometric elbow moments over a range that is appropriate for evaluating elbow extension strength in individuals with tetraplegia. CONCLUSIONS: A device was developed and implemented that accurately quantifies isometric elbow moments over a range that is appropriate for evaluating elbow extension strength in individuals with tetraplegia. RELEVANCE: The ability to quantitatively evaluate elbow strength in persons with tetraplegia is useful for understanding and improving the clinical outcomes of rehabilitative interventions that involve the elbow.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to design and implement a transducer to measure accurately the isometric elbow moments produced by individuals with tetraplegia. DESIGN: The device needed to be insensitive to off-axis moments and proximal joint motions and be capable of being used over a wide range of elbow and shoulder positions in an outpatient clinic setting. BACKGROUND: Measurement of the smaller isometric moments produced by individuals with tetraplegia is especially sensitive to the errors that can be introduced by inaccurate lever arm determination, off-axis loads, and proximal joint motions. Devices traditionally utilized for quantifying isometric strength are difficult to implement for the spinal cord injured population. METHODS: The elbow moment transducer consists of two four-bar parallelogram linkages joined by a lockable pivot. Strain gauges mounted on one beam of the parallelogram produce an output proportional to the elbow moment. RESULTS: Calibration of the device indicates that it accurately quantifies isometric elbow moments over a range that is appropriate for evaluating elbow extension strength in individuals with tetraplegia. CONCLUSIONS: A device was developed and implemented that accurately quantifies isometric elbow moments over a range that is appropriate for evaluating elbow extension strength in individuals with tetraplegia. RELEVANCE: The ability to quantitatively evaluate elbow strength in persons with tetraplegia is useful for understanding and improving the clinical outcomes of rehabilitative interventions that involve the elbow.
Authors: William D Memberg; Katharine H Polasek; Ronald L Hart; Anne M Bryden; Kevin L Kilgore; Gregory A Nemunaitis; Harry A Hoyen; Michael W Keith; Robert F Kirsch Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2014-02-20 Impact factor: 3.966
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Authors: Paulo José Oliveira Cortez; José Elias Tomazini; Vitor E Valenti; José Rubens Correa; Erica E Valenti; Luiz Carlos de Abreu Journal: Clinics (Sao Paulo) Date: 2011 Impact factor: 2.365
Authors: Carrie L Peterson; Michael S Bednar; Anne M Bryden; Michael W Keith; Eric J Perreault; Wendy M Murray Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-03-02 Impact factor: 3.240