Objective: To assess the short-term effects of strenuous dynamic stretching of the elbow joint using an intelligent stretching device in chronic spastic stroke survivors. Methods: The intelligent stretching device was utilized to provide a single session of intensive stretching to the spastic elbow joint in the sagittal plane (i.e., elbow flexion and extension). The stretching was provided to the extreme range, safely, with control of the stretching velocity and torque to increase the joint range of motion (ROM) and reduce spasticity and joint stiffness. Eight chronic stroke survivors (age: 52.6 ± 8.2 years, post-stroke duration: 9.5 ± 3.6 years) completed a single 40-min stretching intervention session. Elbow passive and active ROM, strength, passive stiffness (quantifying the non-reflex component of spasticity), and instrumented tendon reflex test of the biceps tendon (quantifying the reflex component of the spasticity) were measured before and after stretching. Results: After stretching, there was a significant increase in passive ROM of elbow flexion (p = 0.021, r = 0.59) and extension (p = 0.026, r = 0.59). Also, elbow active ROM and the spastic elbow flexors showed a trend of increase in their strength. Conclusion: The intelligent stretching had a short-term positive influence on the passive movement ROM. Hence, intelligent stretching can potentially be used to repeatedly and regularly stretch spastic elbow joints, which subsequently helps to reduce upper limb impairments post-stroke.

中文翻译：

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慢性中风幸存者智能控制下痉挛肘部伸展的效果——一项试点研究。

目的：评估在慢性痉挛性卒中幸存者中使用智能拉伸装置对肘关节进行剧烈动态拉伸的短期效果。方法：利用智能拉伸装置在矢状面上对痉挛的肘关节进行单次强化拉伸（即肘屈伸）。将拉伸安全地提供到极限范围，并控制拉伸速度和扭矩以增加关节活动范围 (ROM) 并减少痉挛和关节僵硬。八名慢性卒中幸存者（年龄：52.6 ± 8.2 岁，卒中后持续时间：9.5 ± 3.6 岁）完成了一次 40 分钟的拉伸干预。肘部被动和主动 ROM、力量、被动僵硬（量化痉挛的非反射成分），在拉伸前后测量二头肌腱的仪器腱反射测试（量化痉挛的反射成分）。结果：拉伸后，肘部屈曲（p = 0.021，r = 0.59）和伸展（p = 0.026，r = 0.59）的被动 ROM 显着增加。此外，肘部主动ROM和痉挛的肘部屈肌显示出强度增加的趋势。结论：智能拉伸对被动运动ROM有短期的正向影响。因此，智能拉伸可以潜在地用于重复和定期拉伸痉挛的肘关节，从而有助于减少中风后的上肢损伤。肘部屈曲（p = 0.021，r = 0.59）和伸展（p = 0.026，r = 0.59）的被动 ROM 显着增加。此外，肘部主动ROM和痉挛的肘部屈肌显示出强度增加的趋势。结论：智能拉伸对被动运动ROM有短期的正向影响。因此，智能拉伸可以潜在地用于重复和定期拉伸痉挛的肘关节，从而有助于减少中风后的上肢损伤。肘部屈曲（p = 0.021，r = 0.59）和伸展（p = 0.026，r = 0.59）的被动 ROM 显着增加。此外，肘部主动ROM和痉挛的肘部屈肌显示出强度增加的趋势。结论：智能拉伸对被动运动ROM有短期的正向影响。因此，智能拉伸可以潜在地用于重复和定期拉伸痉挛的肘关节，从而有助于减少中风后的上肢损伤。