title: Inter-limb centre of pressure symmetry during gait among stroke survivors.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to describe the spatial-temporal parameters of the centre of pressure (COP) trajectory during the single-support phase of gait among stroke survivors and relate these parameters to the severity of sensorimotor impairment. Fifty-seven participants were asked to walk at their preferred and fast speed over a pressure sensitive mat. Outcome measures included anterior-posterior (AP) COP displacement, AP-COP velocity, medial-lateral (ML) COP variability and foot region COP time. The results demonstrated an asymmetrical AP-COP displacement in favour of the non-paretic limb for the majority of participants. The inter-limb difference scores for AP-COP displacement and AP-COP velocity were related to the severity of sensorimotor impairment and greater among gait aid users. ML-COP variability was greater under the non-paretic limb, possibly suggesting difficulty with paretic limb swing phase. Reduced or absent forefoot COP time suggests difficulty with forward progression and modified foot function during push-off. The inter-limb difference in COP parameters highlights the asymmetrical nature of post-stroke gait and the challenge of maintaining single limb support. We view this information as potentially important to clinicians as an outcome measure for gait rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Chisholm
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: McIlroy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation