Relationship between the Ability of Sit-to-Stand Movement and Lower Limb Loading Force in Sitting Position of Hemiplegics Patients

Abstract

We measured lower limb loading force of hemiplegics patients with a commercially available scale and studied the relationship with sit-to-stand movement ability. The subjects, 40 hemiplegics patients (17 men and 23 women, mean age 72.7) were divided into 3 groups, need care for sit-to-stand, self-supporter with condition (need upper limb support) and self-supporter, and compared each group with lower limb loading force. The total value of lower limb loading force of the non-paralyzed and paralyzed sides showed significant differences in sit-to-stand ability. The more independent at sit-to-stand the patients were, the bigger the value of lower limb loading force was. This knowledge suggests that the measurement of lower limb loading force in the sitting position is useful for a simple lower limb function assessment reflecting sit-to-stand movement. Especially, since this method is possible in the sitting position, it can be used for hemiplegic patients whose treatment does not allow sit-to-stand movement to predict the prognosis of sit-to-stand movement.