Biomechanical assessment techniques in rehabilitation

A set of quantitative instruments has been developed for monitoring the surgical and rehabilitative progress of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. The set includes biomechanical devices, electrophysiological equipment, and automated clinical test series, and functional assessment instrumentation. Data from the multiple tests is accessed through a centralized data base management system. Design considerations as well as results from a clinical study of neuroelectric stimulation are presented. An instrument is described which is used to quantitatively evaluate wrist joint control during active and passive motion. Results from tests of spastic children undergoing flexor tendon transfer are presented. A method of measuring and analyzing the magnitude and frequency content of reaction forces at six discrete points under the foot is described. An analysis of the reaction forces and frequency content during normal gait is provided.<
>