Eight individuals with chronic moderate-to-severe hemiparesis and four controls participated. Isometric wrist/finger and thumb flexion forces and wrist/finger flexor and extensor electromyograms (EMG) were measured at two positions when lifting the arm: in front of the torso and at maximal reaching distance. The task was completed in the ACT3D robotic device with six SABD loads by paretic, non-paretic, and control limbs.
Considerable forces and EMG were generated during lifting of the paretic arm only, and they progressively increased with SABD load. Additionally, the forces were greater at the maximal reach position than at the position front of the torso.
Flexion of paretic wrist and fingers is involuntarily coupled with certain shoulder and elbow movements.
Activation of the proximal upper limb must be considered when seeking to understand, rehabilitate, or develop devices to assist the paretic hand.