Effects of wearing walking support devices on walking in stroke patients with hemiplegia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of wearing walking support devices on walking speed and joint moments in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Some walking support devices are designed for healthy people and are said to increase the internal hip joint extension moment during mid-stance when worn. The effects on walking of hemiplegic patients were analyzed kinematically. Walking with and without the device was measured in 10 patients with hemiplegia. Wearing a walking support device increased walking speed, stride length on the paralyzed side, step length, and the maximum moment of internal hip extension in the mid-stance leg period. It is thought that new clinical significance has been found in the effectiveness of wearing walking support devices in hemiplegic patients whose walking speed, stride, and hip extension moment are likely to be restricted.