Comparison of “Less Affected Limb” Reaching Kinematics in Individuals with Chronic Stroke and Healthy Age-Matched Controls

The purpose of this study was to compare kinematics of the limbs during reaching tasks with trunk restraint in persons with chronic stroke to a control group without impairment. Thirty individuals participated (chronic arm impairment from stroke, n = 15, healthy adults, n = 15). Three-dimensional kinematic analysis of the upper extremities was collected during reaching with trunk restraint (self-selected and fast velocities, ipsilateral and contralateral target locations). Data were analyzed with t-tests (p ≤ .025) and effect sizes. Less affected limb showed significant differences compared to the control group in variables at faster speed conditions with medium-large effect sizes across target locations. The less affected upper extremity adapts differently when reaching with trunk restraint compared to persons without stroke. These findings support the idea that there is not a “nonparetic” limb following a stroke, indicating that bilateral assessments and training should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs at the chronic stage of recovery.