Abstract
[Purpose] We examined the spatiotemporal parameters of hemiplegia patients during gait and their asymmetry, and compared them with those of healthy adults in a simple analysis. We also elucidated the relationship between the asymmetry and severity of hemiplegia as well as walking speed. [Subjects] The subjects were 10 healthy adult females, the healthy group, and 29 hemiplegia patients, the hemiplegia group. [Method] On a 10-meter walkway, the healthy group walked at a comfortable speed, and the hemiplegia group walked at their maximum speed. Using Videobrowser to measure the spatiotemporal parameters, we derived step time (ST) and step length, and calculated their asymmetry ratios. [Results] ST in the hemiplegia group had an asymmetry ratio of 1.3±0.4, which showed a higher value at moderate levels of paralysis, and we found a negative correlation between the asymmetry ratio in ST and walking speed. [Conclusion] The asymmetry in hemiplegic patients’ gait often shows temporal changes, suggesting it is influenced by walking speed or severity of paralysis.
