title: Use of a standard cane increases unipedal stance time during static testing.
abstract: The records of 11 consecutive qualifying patients were reviewed to evaluate whether use of a cane increased unipedal balance time during static testing. Measured with a stopwatch, the maximum unipedal balance time increased significantly with use of a single-point cane, whether standing on the left (M = 14.4 sec.) or right (M = 16.7 sec.) lower limb. The results indicate that in clinical situations, sophisticated instruments are not needed to demonstrate the effects of a cane and that unipedal stance times obtained with a stopwatch can confirm the effectiveness of canes for increasing unipedal balance of patients and caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut, U-2101, Storrs, CT 06269-2101, USA. richard.bohannon@uconn.edu
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bohannon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002183:Canes; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D013997:Time Factors