title: Perception of lower extremity loads in stroke survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to improve our understanding of static and dynamic lower extremity sensory perception and the impact of sensory impairments on the control of walking in stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a custom, real-time unloading system, we tested load perception at heel strike, mid stance and push off in 10 stroke survivors and compared their performance to 10 age-matched and 5 young adult control subjects. Dynamic load perception was based on a judgment of which leg was bearing more load, which was altered on a step by step basis. We also examined lower extremity static load perception, coordination, proprioception, balance, and gait symmetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stroke survivors performed significantly worse than the control subjects in dynamic load perception, coordination, proprioception, balance and gait symmetry. Gait symmetry correlated with static and dynamic load perception measures but not with age, proprioception, coordination, and balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensory deficits related to load detection in the impaired limb could result in an increased uncertainty of limb load and a gait strategy in which stroke survivors minimize loading of the impaired limb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new method of measuring lower extremity dynamic load perception provides a framework for understanding gait-related sensory impairments in stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States. Electronic address: virginiawtchu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Virginia W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: T George
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Hornby
authors.affiliation: Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Schmit
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Gait symmetry; Load perception; Sensory deficits; Stroke