A Study of the Stance Limb during the Crossing of Obstacles of Different Heights by Hemiplegic Stroke Patients

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the balance of the stance limb of hemiplegic stroke patients during the crossing of obstacles of different heights. [Subjects] Twenty stroke patients (right hemiplegia) crossed obstacles of different heights (0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm). [Methods] Stance time and muscle activity of the stance limb were measured during obstacle crossing. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the stance time and muscle activities of the stance limb at the various obstacle heights. [Results] The results show that the stance time of the unaffected lower limb was significantly longer than that of the paretic lower limb and obstacle height increased, the stance time of the unaffected lower limb increased significantly. The participants exhibited increase in electromyography of the unaffected limb with increasing obstacle height. Particularly, the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius of the unaffected limb showed significant increases, and the tibialis anterior of the unaffected limb showed a significant difference between heights of 10 cm and 20 cm. Finally, the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius showed significant difference between paretic and unaffected limb at all obstacle hights. [Conclusion] The results suggest that training the gastrocnemius of the paretic limb is an effective therapy for hemiplegic stroke patients.