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.
Keywords: Muscle; hospitalization; subacute stroke; ultrasonography.
Copyright © 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.