In the spastic hands of 15 stroke patients, grip strength, prehension, Modified Barthel Index score and muscle activity pattern by dynamic electromyography were evaluated. The following 6 muscles were examined; flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis, extensor pollicis longus, extensor digitorum communis and extensor carpi radialis. Flexor pollicis longus showed normal EMG activity pattern in 86% and flexor digitorum profundus and other muscles were normal in 67% and 40%, respectively at the involved side, In general, normal activity pattern was more frequent in flexors than in extensors. There were significant correlation between the prehension and normal EMG activity pattern of muscles (p<0.05). Three point pulp pinch was the most difficult type of prehension to stroke patients, followed by 3 point tip pinch, lateral pinch, release and grasp as in order. Extensor carpi radialis showed abnormal activity pattern in about 60% regardless of the involvement which may be reflecting interpersonal variety of its function on hand motion.

Keywords :Stroke, Dynamic electromyography, Grip strength, Modified Barthel index