Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2007 37(3): 57-67

The impairments of sensorimotor hand functions in stroke patients - the comparison of the results of a clinical assessment and the assessment utilizing the standard tests (a case study)

Kateřina Macháčková¹, Jana Vyskotová¹, Jaroslav Opavský¹, Hana Sochorová²

¹ Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc

² Medico-Social Faculty, Ostrava University, Ostrava

The impairments of sensorimotor hand functions after a stroke have a negative impact on the subject's interaction with external settings and on performing common daily and working activities and thus on the quality of his or her life (Carey, 1995). Since the structure and function of the cerebral cortex is capable of after stroke modifications, new therapies are being looked for that support the desirable plasticity of the central nervous system to the maximum. The main condition for a successful treatment is a reliable target focused examination of all hand functions affected by the stroke. This requires both a differentiated and complex examination. This study presents the results and experience of treating patients hospitalized after a stroke. The impaired motor and somatosensory functions have been assessed through somatosensory and manipulation tests. In three case studies, the differences are pointed out between the results of the clinical neurological hand examination and the functional hand examination. Both examinations use target focused specialized tests.

Keywords: Stroke, post stroke hand, sensorimotor functions, hand function tests, neurological examination

Prepublished online: February 1, 2009; Published: June 1, 2007  Show citation