title: Changes in center of pressure displacement with the use of a foot drop stimulator in individuals with stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Center of pressure measured during gait can provide information about underlying control mechanisms and the efficacy of a foot drop stimulator. This investigation evaluated changes in center of pressure displacement in individuals with stroke with and without a foot drop stimulator.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals with stroke-related foot drop (n=11) using a foot drop stimulator and healthy controls (n=11). Walking speed and bilateral center of pressure variables: 1) net displacement; 2) position and maximum displacement; and 3) mean velocity during walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the affected limb with the foot drop stimulator as compared to the affected limb without the foot drop stimulator: 1) increased anterior/posterior maximum center of pressure excursion 8% during stance; 2) center of pressure at initial contact was 6% more posterior; 3) medial/lateral mean, maximum and minimum center of pressure position during stance all significantly decreased; 4) anterior/posterior net displacement increased during stance and single support; and 5) anterior/posterior velocity of the center of pressure increased during stance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with stroke using a foot drop stimulator contacted the ground more posterior at initial contact and utilized more of the anterior/posterior plantar surface of the foot on the affected limb during stance. With the foot drop stimulator there was a shift in center of pressure toward the medial side possibly indicating an improvement in equinovarus gait where there is a tendency to load the lateral foot throughout stance. For individuals with stroke a foot drop stimulator can improve displacement of the center of pressure which indicates improved forward progression and stability during walking.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance and Engineering Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA. Electronic address: knolan@kesslerfoundation.org.
authors.forename: Karen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Human Performance and Engineering Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yarossi
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Biomedicine/ISEAL, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mclaughlin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000502:physiology; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Foot drop; Functional electrical stimulation; Gait; Hemiplegic gait; Orthoses; Rehabilitation; Stroke; Stroke patients; Walking speed