Reduced Oxygen Desaturation in the Vastus Lateralis of Chronic Stroke Survivors During Graded Muscle Contractions

Authors

Allison S. Hyngstrom, Marquette UniversityFollow
Jennifer N. Nguyen, Medical College of Wisconsin
Spencer A. Murphy, Marquette University
Stephanie C. Raab, Marquette University
Brian D. Schmit, Marquette UniversityFollow
David D. Gutterman, Medical College of Wisconsin
Matthew J. Durand, Medical College of Wisconsin

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2024

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Source Publication

Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation

Source ISSN

1074-9357

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2023.2291902

Abstract

Background

Few studies have examined changes in skeletal muscle physiology post-stroke. This study examined changes in tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂) of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle of stroke survivors and age-matched control participants during maximal and submaximal isometric contractions of the knee extensor muscles.

Objectives

We hypothesized that tissue oxygen desaturation (ΔStO₂) during knee extensor muscle contractions would be less in the VL in the paretic vs. the non-paretic and control legs.

Methods

Ten chronic stroke survivors (>6 months post-stroke) with lower extremity muscle weakness and 10 age-matched controls completed this prospective cohort study. Maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the knee extensor muscles were assessed with a Biodex dynamometer and StO₂ of the VL was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Results

In the paretic leg of the stroke survivors little change in StO2 of the VL was observed during an MVC (ΔStO₂ = -1.7 ± 1.8%) compared to the non-paretic (ΔStO₂ = -5.1 ± 6.1%; p <  0.05) and control legs (ΔStO₂ = -14.4 ± 8.8%; p <  0.05 vs. paretic and non-paretic leg). These differences remained when normalizing for strength differences between the legs. Compared to controls, both the paretic and non-paretic VL showed pronounced reductions in ΔStO₂ during ramp and hold contractions equal to 20%, 40%, or 60% of the MVC (p <  0.05 vs. controls at all load levels).

Conclusions

These results indicate that oxygen desaturation in response to isometric muscle contractions is impaired in both the paretic and non-paretic leg muscle of stroke survivors compared to age-matched controls, and these differences are independent of differences in muscle strength.

Comments

Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, Vol. 31, No. 5 (July 2024): 513-526. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Hyngstrom, Allison S.; Nguyen, Jennifer N.; Murphy, Spencer A.; Raab, Stephanie C.; Schmit, Brian D.; Gutterman, David D.; and Durand, Matthew J., "Reduced Oxygen Desaturation in the Vastus Lateralis of Chronic Stroke Survivors During Graded Muscle Contractions" (2024). Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications. 247.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/phys_therapy_fac/247