Including the motor and non-motor functional tests, EMG with evaluation for pathological spontaneous activity, EMG with evaluation for voluntary activity, ENG and stapedius reflex testing into the second model, EMG with evaluation for pathological spontaneous activity, ENG and stapedius reflex testing remained independent prognostic factors.
The upper extremity motor function tests are classified in the following categories: (1) strength tests; (2) functional tests; and (3) ADL tests [ 17].
** The physical examination includes passive Range of Motion, selective motor control and gross motor function tests.
Other outcomes included the rates of all falls, physical functional capacities (balance and motor function test results), fear of falling (FES-I), physical activity level, and perceived health related quality of life (SF-36).
To quantify motor ability, the functional tests were performed; maximal step length (MSL), the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, and single leg standing.
In the current study, provocative maneuvers which rely on patient self-report of typical pain reproduction, and motor testing using functional tests of resistance applied against the patient's own body weight, may have resulted in more objective interpretation, which was less susceptible to bias.
Different tools were used to assess the muscular impairments including manual muscle testing, timed functional tests, quantitative motor evaluation, isokinetic systems, Jamar dynamometer, and hand held dynamometers [ 2- 7].
Although manual muscle testing (MMT) is most commonly used for the grading of motor strength, we substituted two functional tests of strength in lieu of MMT: the heel-raise test for detection of S1 involvement, and the sit-to-stand test for detection of L3 involvement; the performance characteristics of the latter test have been reported elsewhere.
Studies of neuromuscular training, in comparison to traditional strength training, in ACL injured subjects have shown better result in sensory outcomes such as proprioception, motor outcomes such as strength and functional tests, and self-reported outcomes [ 12, 14].
A linear relationship between ICU-AW and physical performance is unlikely as functional tests are complex motor tasks, whereas MMT measures assess individual muscle actions that do not represent muscle endurance, a property that represents the resistance of the muscle to fatigue.
NSAA is one of the actual 'gold standard' functional tests to score DMD motor ability (from value 34 – normal ambulation, to value 0 – absence of ambulation).
