M. Siebler
Mediclin /Essen Kettwig, Department of Neurorehabilitation/ University of Duesseldorf – Essen, Germany

Objective: By means of ultrasound (US) methods structural and functional properties of the muscle tissue could be detected in patients in real time and non-invasively. Using tissue velocity imaging (TVI) we are able to investigate the dynamics of movements in identified muscles. We tested whether this method could be applicated to measure the forearm muscle motions in order to monitor rehabilitation therapies and pharmacological effects.

Material and Methods: The voluntary movement of hand opening (M.ext. digitorum) and closing (M.flexor digitorum) was analyzed in healthy subjects (n=30) and stroke patients (n= 31) using the B-mode and tissue velocity imaging (TVI). TVI is based on the Doppler effect to record slow movements of the tissue and was adapted on a 6-8 MHz probe. We recorded synergistic contractions or dephasing (non-synchronous muscle activity) and quantified velocity of contraction and relaxation as well as there repetition frequency.