Abstract
Gait pattern of adult hemiplegic patients were analysed using biomechanical techniques such as force plates and X-Y tracker of TV system. Thirty-three hemiplegia (mean, 44.4 years old) and 6 normal volunteers (mean, 37.7 years old) were studied. The impairment of the motor function of the affected leg was evaluated by the Brunnstrom Stage (stage III 8, IV 9, V 8 and VI 8 cases). Subjects were instructed to walk at a comfortable speed and a cadence without cane or brace on the 10 meter walkway, in which four force plates were mounted. Away from the walkway to both sides about 5 meters, a pair of TV cameras for X-Y tracker were setted.
Electrical signal from these equipments were analysed by the PDP-12 minicomputer. With lowering of the motor function of the affected leg, the walking speed became slow, the walking base became wide, the walking cycle prolonged, and the stance phase of the affected leg was slightly shortened and the stance phase of the non-affected leg was markedly prolonged. About the sagittal rotation pattern, with lowering of the moter function of the affected leg, there was a dominance of extension pattern of the knee and ankle of the affected leg and slightly flexion pattern of the non-affected knee and hip. About the floor reaction force, the affected leg of the low motor function showed poor supporting and propulsive pattern, and non-affected leg showed marked compensatory balancing pattern.
It was supposed that the affected leg of the low motor function performed little roles for walking. Therefore, it seemed to be important to promote the compensatory functions of the non-affected leg as well as to improve the impairment of the affected leg.
