Background
Many patients with stroke have difficulty performing voluntary muscle contraction;
thus, measurement of patients' muscle power or leg strength is challenging. We investigated
the validity of quadriceps muscle thickness (QMT) measurement using ultrasonography
(US) for the assessment of muscle wasting and physical function in patients with subacute
stroke during hospitalization for convalescent rehabilitation.
Methods
Participants included 52 men with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (mean age, 69 ± 11
years) who were hospitalized for inpatient convalescent rehabilitation. The QMT of
both legs was measured using US, and functional outcome was assessed according to
the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score and the leg motor selectivity score (6 motor
stages defined by Brunnstrom).
Results
There was a significant correlation between QMT and leg motor selectivity score (paretic
limb: r = .60, P < .001; nonparetic limb: r = .54, P < .001). Additionally, there were significant interaction effects between the QMT
of the paretic limb (mRS scores = 1 or 2, 3, 4, and 5 = 3.52 ± .84 cm, 3.19 ± .52
cm, 2.50 ± .46 cm, and 2.20 ± .71 cm, respectively; F = 11.2; P < .0001), the QMT of the nonparetic limb (mRS scores = 1 or 2, 3, 4, and 5 = 3.72 ± .82
cm, 3.16 ± .49 cm, 2.91 ± .54 cm, and 2.42 ± .82 cm, respectively; F = 8.3; P < .001), and functional outcome.
Conclusion
QMT measurement is a valid method to assess muscle wasting and physical function in
patients with subacute stroke during hospitalization for convalescent rehabilitation.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 03, 2016
Accepted:
October 10,
2016
Received in revised form:
September 22,
2016
Received:
August 15,
2016
Footnotes
Grant support: This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (grant no. 15K16410).
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2016.10.006
Copyright
© 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
