Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41140019›Full record

ArticleJournal of rehabilitation medicine2025

Muscle strength and stiffness of elbow muscles: correlation with upper limb motor functions in people with chronic stroke.

Shamay S M Ng, Peiming Chen, Shun Hei Choi, Tung Ji Lam, Hei Yee Lau, Hing Ki Lau, Ho Yeung Law, Desmond Y W Lam, Cynthia Y Y Lai

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Article in Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Shamay S M NgDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China; Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China. Shamay.Ng@polyu.edu.hk.
Peiming ChenDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Shun Hei ChoiDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Tung Ji LamDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Hei Yee LauDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Hing Ki LauDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Ho Yeung LawDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Desmond Y W LamPhysiotherapy Clinic, Hong Kong, China (SAR).
Cynthia Y Y LaiDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo (i) quantify elbow flexor and extensor strength and stiffness in people with stroke; (ii) compare affected and unaffected sides; (iii) compare stroke survivors and healthy older adults; and (iv) examine correlations between muscle properties, motor control, and ADLs.

designCross-sectional study.

participants65 stroke survivors and 31 healthy older adults.

methodsElbow muscle strength and stiffness (biceps and triceps) were assessed bilaterally by Myoton PRO. Stroke participants also completed the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), and Oxford Participation and Activity Questionnaire (OxPAQ).

resultsStroke participants had significantly weaker elbow muscles on the affected side (p < 0.001) than the unaffected side, but stiffness did not differ significantly. Compared with healthy adults, stroke participants showed reduced strength but similar stiffness. Weak to moderate correlations were found between muscle strength and FMA-UE, ARAT, and DASH (ρ = 0.336-0.613), but not with OxPAQ. Weak negative correlations were found between biceps stiffness and motor function (FMA, ARAT) (ρ = -0.343 to -0.397), and a weak negative correlation between triceps stiffness and OxPAQ emotional well-being (ρ = -0.313).

conclusionStroke survivors have reduced elbow strength but similar stiffness compared with the healthy elderly. Strength correlates moderately with upper limb function; stiffness shows inconsistent associations.

Indexed as

Muscle, SkeletalMuscle StrengthStrokeUpper ExtremityAgedChronic DiseaseCross-Sectional StudiesDisability EvaluationElbowFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPsychological Well-BeingStroke Rehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID41140019
PMCPMC12576853

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