title: [The clinical effect of lateral wedge on hemiplegic weight bearing].
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the lateral wedge on asymmetrical weight bearing and posture in hemiplegic gait. The subjects were 2-female and 4-male moderate stroke patients, average age 54 +/- 6 yr. The time from onset was 127 +/- 69.7 days. A 7 mm-thick wedged insole was applied to the affected side for a week. Before and after that, the vertical ground reaction force, single supporting period and side movement of the trunk were recorded during walking. As a result, we found that the vertical ground reaction ratio and single supporting period ratio of the affected side (affected/unaffected) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and also that the lateral sway of the trunk was remarkably decreased (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that the application of the lateral wedge for a week improved asymmetrical weight bearing and gait ability in moderate hemiplegic patients. Also we believe that a randomly sampled comparison study should be performed in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Center, University Hospital, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kakou
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagao
authors.forename: Saburo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omine
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ochi
authors.forename: Futoshi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hachisuka
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Togami
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D004856:Postural Balance; D012775:Shoes; D016138:Walking; D016474:Weight-Bearing