Influence of different inclination angles on middle deltoid muscle activity in stroke patients with shoulder subluxation: protocol for a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and objective: Glenohumeral subluxation is a common complication that is a palpable gap between the acromion and humeral head and causes mechanical integrity change in the joint. Electromyography is a method used to assess and capture skeletal muscle electrical activity and assess the strength of muscle that controls motor neurons. The objective of this study is to investigate whether different inclination angles influence middle deltoid muscle activity in patients with glenohumeral subluxation. Subjects and methods: It is a cross-sectional study in which 30 stroke patients with shoulder subluxation were included. Recruitment started from September, 2018. The study was completed in July 2019. Uncooperative patients or those who develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy or have psychological problems were excluded from this study. Purposeful sampling was used to collect samples. Glenohumeral subluxation will be assessed. Electromyography surface electrodes will be used to capture the middle deltoid muscle activity. The study is conducted in the Neurophysiology Unit of Neurophysiotherapy Research Lab of the Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (India). Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) of Maharishi Markandeshwar University (IEC/MMU 2018/1114) on March 24, 2018. Outcome measures: Primary outcome measure is electromyography motor unit action potential parameter. Secondary outcome measures are amplitude, duration, and rise time. Discussion: Results from this study will provide evidence whether patient exercise performance without changing patient position but only adjusting bed/couch angles can improve the motor function of stroke patients. The study findings may help therapists and patients to prescribe exercise in what particular degree to get good results from the therapy. Trial registration: The study was registered with Clinical Trials Registry-India on September 17, 2018 (registration No. CTRI/2018/09/015732).