Temporal stride and force analysis of cane-assisted gait in people with hemiplegic stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the underlying biomechanics of temporal stride and force in people with hemiplegic stroke during cane-assisted walking.


METHODS
Three forceplates, 6 cameras, and an instrumented cane were integrated to analyze the cane-assisted gait of people with hemiplegic stroke. Temporal-stride parameters, and peak vertical, anterior (propulsive), posterior (braking), and lateral shear forces, as well as propulsive-breaking impulses were analyzed.


METHODS
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Medical Center, Taiwan.


METHODS
Twenty people with hemiplegic stroke.


METHODS
Temporal-stride and force parameters.


RESULTS
All patients walked at a relatively slow speed, ranging from 4.2 to 35.8cm/s. The triple and double support occupied most of the gait cycle (GC), whereas the single support occupied only 10% of GC. The applied vertical, propulsive, braking, and lateral shear forces on either foot and the cane were 89.7% to 97.6%, 2.2% to 4.8%, 2.9% to 3.9%, and 5.5% to 6.7% body weight (BW), respectively. Patients applied less than 25% BW of peak vertical forces on the cane. They applied greater peak propulsive forces and impulses on the sound foot, while applying greater peak braking forces and impulses on the affected foot and cane.


CONCLUSIONS
The cane provided support and a braking function for people with hemiplegic stroke. People with stroke walking with cane assistance rely mostly on the sound limb for propulsion, while using the affected limb and cane for braking. Data provided could be useful in assessing the nature of cane assistance and in planning therapeutic strategies for people with stroke.
Chen
C L
CL
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chen
H C
HC
Wong
M K
MK
Tang
F T
FT
Chen
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications