Assessment of Passive Upper Limb Stiffness and Its Function in Post-Stroke Individuals Wearing an Inertial Sensor during the Pendulum Test

Abstract

This article proposes the evaluation of the passive movement of the affected elbow during the pendulum test in people with stroke and its correlation with the main clinical scales (Modified Ashworth Scale, Motor Activity Log, and Fulg Meyer). An inertial sensor was attached to the forearm of seven subjects, who then passively flexed and extended the elbow. Joint angles and variables that indicate viscoelastic properties, stiffness (K), damping (B), E1 amp, F1 amp, and relaxation indices were collected. The results show that the FM scale is significantly correlated with the natural frequency (p = 0.024). The MAL amount-of-use score correlates with the natural frequency (p = 0.024). The variables E1 amp, F1 amp, RI, and ERI are not correlated with the clinical scales, but they correlate with each other; the variable E1 amp correlates with F1 amp (p = 0.024) and RI (p = 0.024), while F1 amp correlates with ERI (p = 0.024). There was also a correlation between the natural frequency and K (r = 0.96, p = 0.003). Non-linear results were found for the properties of the elbow joint during the pendulum test, which may be due to the presence of neural and non-neural factors. These results may serve as a reference for future studies if alternative scales do not provide an accurate reflection.