Methods of assessing associated reactions of the upper limb in stroke and traumatic brain injury: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To determine the assessment methods for upper limb (UL) associated reactions (ARs) in people with acquired brain injury (ABI).Methods: A systematic search of 10 databases was performed for Stage 1 to identify methods that quantify ARs of the hemiplegic UL. Stage 2 searched four databases to examine the clinimetric properties and clinical utility of these methods. Two independent reviewers identified relevant articles, extracted data, assessed study methodological quality and rated the clinimetric properties and clinical utility.Results: Eighteen articles were included. The methods used to evaluate ARs were surface electromyography (11), goniometry (5), dynamometry (5), electrogoni..