Motor function assessment

Motor function Assess handshake for ability to lift arm against gravity and motor control move toward target (your hand) assess tremor (resting, action, and postural) of hand assess grip strength. Ask patient to lift leg off bed. Observe for dyskinesias. Stroke (arm and leg weakness), Parkinson s disease (tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, dyskinesias), essential tremor... 

Many tests have been devised to provide quantitative measures of behavioral disturbances caused by neurotoxic chemicals. Tests have been devised that assess the effects of chemicals on four behavioral functions (D Mello 1992). These are sensory, cognitive, motor, and affective functions. However, because the entire nervous system tends to work in an integrated way, these functions are not easily separable from one another. For example, the outcome of tests focused on sensory perception by rats may be influenced by effects of the test chemical on motor function. 

Frequent assessment of symptoms (i.e., mental status and sensory and motor function) every 4 hours until symptoms improve and then daily. 

The APTS was designed for portability works on IBM PC compatible systems running on a standard MS DOS operating system.53 The battery measures abilities of motor function, focused attention, selective attention, acquisition, and memory, as well as spatial perception and reasoning, mathematical calculation, and other language skills.4 7 Similar to most of the computerized performance assessment batteries, additions and deletions of individual components have occurred as the battery has matured and been used in different applications. 

Two of the epidemiologic studies used in EPA s risk assessment—those conducted in the Faroe Islands and New Zealand (Kjellstrom et al. 1986 Kjellstrom et al. 1989 Grandjean et al. 1997)—documented a significant inverse biomarker-neurodevelopment relationship.2 Effects included poor performance on a number of tests—tests of attention, fine-motor function, language, visual-spatial abilities, and verbal memory. The magnitude of the deficits was consistent with increases in the number of children struggling to keep up in school or requiring remedial action (Rice et al. 2003). Those effects correlated with hair mercury in both studies cord blood showed the... 

Some strains have difficulties balancing on an aluminum rod, and a more textured surface (e.g., wood) may help stabilize the animal. Increasing the diameter of the rod is another possible solution. If mice continue to struggle with balance or motor abilities, assess motor and vestibular functions separately as these behaviors may be due to a neuromuscular or motor coordination problem unrelated to vestibular deficits or anxiety. 

Based on parental assessment of skills of communication, daily living, socialization, and motor function. 

Motor function in the lower limbs was assessed by grading 0 = none, 1 = partially blocked, and 2 = completely blocked. 

Cao Y, D Olhaberriague L, Vikingstad EM et al. (1998). Pilot study of functional MRI to assess cerebral activation of motor function after poststroke bemiparesis. Stroke 29 112-122... 

Neurologic Assess level of consciousness, sensory and motor function, and pupillary response. Consult neurosurgery and obtain a head CT if a head injury is suspected. Maintain spine precautions. Consult neurosurgery or orthopedics if an injury is suspected. Secondary brain injury may result from increased intracranial pressure and hypoxia may lead to secondary brain injury. 

In early experiments aimed at boosting of the innate response in the injured CNS to facilitate better phagocytosis of myelin debris, it was found that implantation of homologous macrophages in the completely transected spinal cords of adult rats, it was demonstrated partial recovery of motor function (manifested by locomotor activity scored in an open field) and electrophysio-logical activity (assessed by motor-evoked potential responses) (Rapalino et al., 1998). These behavioral manifestations were also reflected in the electrophysiological recovery of motor-evoked potential responses in the implanted rats. 

Assessments of motor function are often included in the neuropsychological test batteries utilized in occupational exposure studies. Typically, these tend to be relatively simple measures of motor capabilities, probably for two reasons. The first is that the inclusion of vigilance tasks such as those described previously depends on motor coordination in addition to sensory capabilities therefore, toxicant-induced changes in such performances may already be indicative of motor impairment. This can then be pursued by inclusion of some additional and more direct assessments of motor function in the battery. The second reason relates to logistical reasons and practicalities. Test batteries such as the WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery and the NFS are typically taken to the site where measurements of subjects are to be made. Thus, portability is a major consideration, and more complex assessments of motor function would incur greater equipment needs. Since the purpose of these batteries is generally to screen for adverse effects, studies providing more precise delineations of affected functions can be pursued at a later time. 

Assess patient s general impression of motor functioning, and address any specific concerns the patient may have. 

Bregman, B.S. and Kunkel-Bagden, E. (1988) Methods of determining the recovery of motor function after spinal cord lesions and transplants in rats. In M. Goldberger (Ed.), Criteria for Assessing Recovery of Function Behavioral Methods, American Paralysis Association, Washington, DC, pp. 47-55. 

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