Margit Alt Murphy

Publications (5) View all

• Article: Movement kinematics during a drinking task are associated with the activity capacity level after stroke.

  Margit Alt Murphy, Carin Willén, Katharina S Sunnerhagen
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Kinematic analysis is a powerful method for an objective assessment of movements and is increasingly used as an outcome measure after stroke. Little is known about how the actual movement performance measured with kinematics is related to the common traditional assessment scales. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between movement kinematics from a drinking task and the impairment or activity limitation level after stroke. Kinematic analysis of movement performance in a drinking task was used to measure movement time, smoothness, and angular velocity of elbow and trunk displacement (TD) in 30 individuals with stroke. Sensorimotor impairment was assessed with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), activity capacity limitation with the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and self-perceived activity difficulties with the ABILHAND questionnaire. Backward multiple regression revealed that the movement smoothness (similarly to movement time) and TD together explain 67% of the total variance in ARAT. Both variables uniquely contributed 37% and 11%, respectively. The TD alone explained 20% of the variance in the FMA, and movement smoothness explained 6% of the variance in the ABILHAND. The kinematic movement performance measures obtained during a drinking task are more strongly associated with activity capacity than with impairment. The movement smoothness and time, possibly together with compensatory movement of the trunk, are valid measures of activity capacity and can be considered as key variables in the evaluation of upper-extremity function after stroke. This increased knowledge is of great value for better interpretation and application of kinematic data in clinical studies.
  Neurorehabilitation and neural repair 05/2012; 26(9):1106-15. · 4.49 Impact Factor
• Article: Letter by Murphy et al regarding article, "Fugl-Meyer assessment of sensorimotor function after stroke: standardized training procedure for clinical practice and clinical trials".

  Margit Alt Murphy, Anna Danielsson, Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen
  Stroke 06/2011; 42(6):e402. · 5.73 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Jurgen Broeren

  Article: SALGOT--Stroke Arm Longitudinal study at the University of Gothenburg, prospective cohort study protocol.

  Margit Alt Murphy, Hanna C Persson, Anna Danielsson, Jurgen Broeren, Asa Lundgren-Nilsson, Katharina S Sunnerhagen
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Recovery patterns of upper extremity motor function have been described in several longitudinal studies, but most of these studies have had selected samples, short follow up times or insufficient outcomes on motor function. The general understanding is that improvements in upper extremity occur mainly during the first month after the stroke incident and little if any, significant recovery can be gained after 3-6 months. The purpose of this study is to describe the recovery of upper extremity function longitudinally in a non-selected sample initially admitted to a stroke unit with first ever stroke, living in Gothenburg urban area. A sample of 120 participants with a first-ever stroke and impaired upper extremity function will be consecutively included from an acute stroke unit and followed longitudinally for one year. Assessments are performed at eight occasions: at day 3 and 10, week 3, 4 and 6, month 3, 6 and 12 after onset of stroke. The primary clinical outcome measures are Action Research Arm Test and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity. As additional measures, two new computer based objective methods with kinematic analysis of arm movements are used. The ABILHAND questionnaire of manual ability, Stroke Impact Scale, grip strength, spasticity, pain, passive range of motion and cognitive function will be assessed as well. At one year follow up, two patient reported outcomes, Impact on Participation and Autonomy and EuroQol Quality of Life Scale, will be added to cover the status of participation and aspects of health related quality of life. This study comprises a non-selected population with first ever stroke and impaired arm function. Measurements are performed both using traditional clinical assessments as well as computer based measurement systems providing objective kinematic data. The ICF classification of functioning, disability and health is used as framework for the selection of assessment measures. The study design with several repeated measurements on motor function will give us more confident information about the recovery patterns after stroke. This knowledge is essential both for optimizing rehabilitation planning as well as providing important information to the patient about the recovery perspectives. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01115348.
  BMC Neurology 01/2011; 11:56. · 2.17 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Margit Alt Murphy

  Article: Kinematic variables quantifying upper-extremity performance after stroke during reaching and drinking from a glass.

  Margit Alt Murphy, Carin Willén, Katharina S Sunnerhagen
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Three-dimensional kinematic analysis provides quantitative and qualitative assessment of upper-limb motion and is used as an outcome measure to evaluate impaired movement after stroke. The number of kinematic variables used, however, is diverse, and models for upper-extremity motion analysis vary. The authors aim to identify a set of clinically useful and sensitive kinematic variables to quantify upper-extremity motor control during a purposeful daily activity, that is, drinking from a glass. For this purpose, 19 participants with chronic stroke and 19 healthy controls reached for a glass of water, took a sip, and placed it back on a table in a standardized way. An optoelectronic system captured 3-dimensional kinematics. Kinematical parameters describing movement time, velocity, strategy and smoothness, interjoint coordination, and compensatory movements were analyzed between groups. The majority of kinematic variables showed significant differences between study groups. The number of movement units, total movement time, and peak angular velocity of elbow discriminated best between healthy participants and those with stroke as well as between those with moderate (Fugl-Meyer scores of 39-57) versus mild (Fugl-Meyer scores of 58-64) arm impairment. In addition, the measures of compensatory trunk and arm movements discriminated between those with moderate and mild stroke impairment. Kinematic analysis in this study identified a set of movement variables during a functional task that may serve as an objective assessment of upper-extremity motor performance in persons who can complete a task, such as reaching and drinking, after stroke.
  Neurorehabilitation and neural repair 01/2011; 25(1):71-80. · 4.49 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Margit Alt Murphy

  Article: Three-dimensional kinematic motion analysis of a daily activity drinking from a glass: a pilot study.

  Margit Alt Murphy, Katharina S Sunnerhagen, Bo Johnels, Carin Willén
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Development of reliable and objective evaluation methods is required, particularly for natural and goal-oriented upper-extremity tasks. Three-dimensional imaging measurement techniques have turned out to be a powerful tool for a quantitative and qualitative assessment of multijoint movements. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a method of three-dimensional motion analysis for the activity "drinking from a glass" and describe the drinking task with kinematic variables in control subjects. A protocol was developed for the drinking activity including the set-up of cameras and positions of the markers and the subject. The drinking task included reaching, forward transport with glass, drinking, back transport and returning the hand to the initial position. An optoelectronic system was used for the three-dimensional kinematic motion capture. Movement times, velocities, joint angles and interjoint coordination for shoulder and elbow were computed and analyzed for twenty control subjects. Test-retest consistency was evaluated for six subjects. The test protocol showed good consistency in test-retest. Phase definitions for the drinking task were defined and verified. Descriptive kinematic variables were obtained for movement times, positions, velocities and joint angles for shoulder and elbow joint. Interjoint coordination between shoulder and elbow joint in reaching phase showed a high correlation. This study provides a detailed description of the three-dimensional kinematic analysis of the drinking task. Our approach to investigate and analyze a goal-oriented daily activity has a great clinical potential. Consequently, the next step is to use and test this protocol on persons with impairments and disabilities from upper extremities.
  Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 02/2006; 3:18. · 3.26 Impact Factor