Upper extremity asymmetry due to nerve injuries or central neurologic conditions: a scoping review

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-023-01277-7 · Published: November 1, 2023

Neurology Orthopedics Neurorehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Peripheral nerve injuries and central neurologic conditions can cause significant disabilities, especially when they affect only one side of the body. Assessing the differences between the upper extremities helps measure treatment outcomes and injury severity. This review examines current methods for assessing upper extremity asymmetry in patients with nerve injuries or central neurologic conditions.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

112 articles reviewed

Evidence Level

Scoping Review

Key Findings

1
Stroke was the most studied condition, followed by cerebral palsy, with kinematics and strength measurement tests being the most frequently used tests.
2
Studies with a level of evidence level II and III increased between 2000 and 2021.
3
The use of real-world evidence-based data, and objective data collection tests also increased in the same period.

Research Summary

This review documents various tests/techniques/sensors used to assess UE asymmetry in individuals with neurological conditions/injuries between 2000-2022. The review identifies trends in studies, classifies widely used tests/techniques/sensors, and analyzes the frequency of real-world evidence-based approaches compared to in-clinic approaches. The study found that stroke and cerebral palsy were the most studied conditions, kinematic and strength tests were widely used, and real-world evidence-based testing and objective data collection increased over time.

Practical Implications

Future Research

Future research should focus on adequately powered randomized controlled trials to study upper extremity asymmetry.

Clinical Practice

Upper extremity asymmetry should be measured using objective outcome measures like motion tracking and activity monitoring in daily living environments.

Study Populations

Neurological conditions other than stroke should be studied further to address the current gap in research.

Study Limitations

1
Only articles published between 2000 and 2022 were considered.
2
Articles were selected only from those published in English or with English translations.
3
Systematic reviews, case studies, and book chapters were excluded from the review.

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