Correlation study between lower limb muscle function and hemodynamics in hemiplegic patients after stroke: a prospective controlled study.

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a highly prevalent and disabling acute cerebrovascular disease. Existing assessment methods for hemiplegic patients have subjectivity, and research on combining surface electromyography and color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) to evaluate lower limbs of stroke patients is scarce.

AIM: The study explored the correlation between quadriceps femoris muscle function and femoral artery hemodynamic parameters in hemiplegic patients after stroke for more accurate rehabilitation assessment.

DESIGN

A prospective control study.

SETTING

Hospital in-patient population.

POPULATION: The sample comprised 20 post-stroke hemiplegic patients aged 18 - 80 years who met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then the healthy side and the affected side were compared respectively.

METHODS

The study chose surface electromyography and color Doppler ultrasound. Femoral artery hemodynamic parameters and quadriceps femoris electromyographic signals were detected before and after maximum isometric contraction. Differences between the affected and healthy sides and correlations were analyzed.

RESULTS

The affected side had lower peak systolic velocity, arterial diameter, and surface electromyography indicators of the quadriceps femoris (except for increased end-diastolic velocity) (P<0.05). Significant differences were found in mean power frequency and median frequency of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles (P<0.05). A positive correlation was found between the healthy side's quadriceps femoris median frequency and arterial diameter during contraction (r=0.489, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower limb muscle function impairment in hemiplegic patients after stroke is closely related to hemodynamic abnormalities. Combining surface electromyography and CDUS provides comprehensive rehabilitation assessment.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This combined method can reduce subjective bias of traditional assessment, improve early assessment accuracy, and provide more precise references for stroke rehabilitation assessment and treatment.