Does weight-shifting exercise improve postural symmetry in sitting in people with hemiplegia?
BACKGROUND
Weight-shifting exercise was empirically practised in correcting the biased posture of people with stroke-induced hemiplegia.


OBJECTIVE
(1) Evaluate the loading symmetry at the buttock-seat interface as a reflection of a postural defect in sitting. (2) Investigate if weight-shifting exercises could correct the postural problem of people with hemiplegia.


METHODS
Control group design.


METHODS
16 subjects with hemiplegia after stroke and 14 healthy individuals.


METHODS
Subjects were assessed for buttock-seat interface loading while in erect sitting using a seat pressure mapping system. Subjects with stroke then practised one session of weight-shifting exercise followed by a reassessment.


RESULTS
The subjects with hemiplegia, particularly those with right hemisphere lesion, had more load borne at the buttock ipsilateral to the side of stroke lesion. The weight-shifting exercise did not produce an immediate improvement on the loading asymmetry.


CONCLUSIONS
The exercise would require further investigation to clarify its benefits in treating postural problems after stroke.
Au-Yeung
Stephanie S Y
SS
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China. rssay@polyu.edu.hk
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology