This researcher really needs to think before coming up with simplistic explanations for problems in reaching. Try objectively measuring spasticity and see where that causes problems in reaching.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22647246
Abstract
ABSTRACT Coordinated reaching
requires continuous interaction between the efferent motor output and
afferent feedback; this interaction may be significantly compromised
following a stroke. The authors sought to characterize how survivors of
stroke generate continuous, goal-directed reaching. Sixteen survivors of
stroke completed functional testing of the stroke-affected side and a
continuous reaching task between 2 targets with both sides. Motion
analysis and electromyography data were collected to determine segmental
contributions to reach (e.g., amount of compensatory trunk),
spatiotemporal parameters (e.g., peak velocities), and muscle activation
patterns (MAP). Repeated measures analyses of variance compared how
survivors of stroke reach with the stroke-affected versus less affected
sides. Correlations were determined between kinematic outcomes and
functional ability. Participants used significantly more trunk movement
and less shoulder flexion and elbow extension when reaching with the
stroke-affected side. This corresponded with less muscle activity in the
proximal musculature including the anterior, middle, and posterior
deltoid on the stroke-affected side. There were significant correlations
between the segmental contributions to reach, functional ability, and
MAPs. Survivors of stroke generate reduced MAPs in the stroke-affected
side corresponding to altered segmental kinematics and function ability.
These findings suggest that impairments in the ability to generate
sufficient MAPs may contribute to the difficulty in generating
continuous reaching motions.
Reaching is what delivers the hand to its target. Since objects can be in a kazillion places in space reaching is not a small thing.
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