Relationship between the weight-bearing ratio on the affected lower extremity and gait ability using a portable electronic foot sensor shoe (Step Aid(®)) in hemiplegic stroke patients.
[Purpose] This study investigated the association between the weight-bearing ratio (WBR) and gait ability of a paretic lower limb while walking using a shoe-type load-measuring apparatus. [Subjects] The Subjects comprised 17 stroke patients who were classified into the following two groups: the independent walking group, and the non-independent walking group. [Methods] The 10-m walking time (inside and outside parallel bars) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were measured. The WBR of the paretic lower limb was measured during static standing and while walking inside and outside parallel bars, and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated. WBR was evaluated using the Step Aid. [Results] The BBS and WBR were significantly decreased in the non-independent walking group, while the 10-m walking time and the CV were significantly increased in the non-independent walking group. [Conclusion] The CV and WBR of a paretic lower limb while walking appear to be important indices of achievement of independent gait in hemiplegic stroke patients, and they may be used in gait rehabilitation for diseases requiring weight-bearing training to follow the course of training using a shoe-type load-measuring apparatus.
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan ; Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences Master's Program, Japan.
Keisuke
K
Itotani
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan.
Masahito
M
Murakami
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Prefectural Rehabilitation Hospital at Nishi-Harima, Japan.
Motoko
M
Itotani
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Prefectural Rehabilitation Hospital at Nishi-Harima, Japan.
Atsushi
A
Nagai
IMAC Co., Ltd., Japan.
Yuzo
Y
Imabori
IMAC Co., Ltd., Japan.
Kazuyuki
K
Fujimoto
IMAC Co., Ltd., Japan.
Mamoru
M
Tanaka
Internal Medicine, Hyogo Prefectural Rehabilitation Hospital at Nishi-Harima, Japan.
Junichi
J
Kato
Shoe-type load-measuring apparatus; Stroke; Weight-bearing ratio