The Effect of Increasing Weight Bearing on the Paretic Side on Pattern of Muscular Activity During Walking in Stroke Patients
Background: Gait disorder is a common motor complication after stroke. Studies have revealed that conventional physiotherapy cannot manage this disorder efficiently; therefore, more studies regarding efficient treatment protocols are crucial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effec...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
2014-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://jrsr.sums.ac.ir/index.php/jrsr/article/view/18/16 |
| Summary: | Background: Gait disorder is a common motor complication after stroke. Studies
have revealed that conventional physiotherapy cannot manage this disorder
efficiently; therefore, more studies regarding efficient treatment protocols are crucial.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of compelled weight-bearing
approach on muscle activation patterns during walking in individuals with stroke.
Methods: 24 hemiparetic patients participated in this study. Patients were
randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental and control. The experimental
group received increased weight bearing on the paretic leg via a shoe lift in
addition to physical therapy for 6 weeks. The control group received only physical
therapy. Laboratory assessments included weight-bearing symmetry ratio
and electromyographic parameters recored from the medial gastrocnemius,
tibialis anterior, rectus femoris and biceps femoris. The amplitude and duration
of electromyographic activity for each subject was then calculated during the
stance and swing phases of their gait cycle. All measurements were compared
within and between groups after the termination of treatment.
Results: After treatment, weight-bearing symmetry ratio improved significantly in the
experimental group. Additionally, the electromyographic activity of paretic medial
gastrocnemius increased significantly during the stance phase while activity duration
of paretic rectus femoris decreased significantly in swing phase. In the control group,
the weight-bearing symmetry ratio didn’t change significantly. Only activity duration
of non-paretic rectus femoris decreased significantly in swing phase.
Conclusion: The results show that compelled weight bearing on the paretic side
improve amplitude and the timing for activity of some muscles in the lower
limbs during walking. |
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| ISSN: | 2345-6159 2345-6159 |