Measurement of upper limb function during daily life after stroke

Abstract

Patient progress in rehabilitation after stroke is measured with standard clinical assessments. In questionnaires or test settings a therapist encourages the patient to perform a set of tasks. These tasks typically do not match what the patient does in daily life. To measure the upper limb function in daily life movements, a sensor-based system has been developed. The study investigates, with a full body sensor-based system the difference between standard clinical assessments and daily life monitoring. Four stroke patients were included in the analyses. A change in arm use during rehabilitation and the difference between clinical assessments and daily life measures were observed rendering the latter as potentially more sensitive candidates for outcome measures.