Sang-I Lin1. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan. lin31@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between joint position sense (JPS) and motor function of the lower extremity and gait performance of patients with chronic stroke. DESIGN: Single-group cross-sectional design. SETTING: University gait laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one patients with stroke onset of more than 6 months. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The isometric strength, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) motor status, and JPS of the lower extremity were tested. Spatiotemporal gait characteristics were measured using a 6-camera motion analysis system, with patients walking at their comfortable speeds while using their usual devices. RESULTS: Lower-extremity muscle strength and FMA motor score correlated significantly with the spatiotemporal characteristics of gait and contributed significantly to the variance in gait velocity, stride length, and double-stance time. The JPS was not related to gait performance, except that the ankle JPS contributed significantly to the variance in gait velocity and stride length. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with chronic stroke, motor function was significantly related to gait performance. Although the JPS was not, that of the ankle joint made a significant contribution. When enhancing gait performance is desired, improving the motor function is recommended, and the role of JPS should also be taken into consideration.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between joint position sense (JPS) and motor function of the lower extremity and gait performance of patients with chronic stroke. DESIGN: Single-group cross-sectional design. SETTING: University gait laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one patients with stroke onset of more than 6 months. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The isometric strength, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) motor status, and JPS of the lower extremity were tested. Spatiotemporal gait characteristics were measured using a 6-camera motion analysis system, with patients walking at their comfortable speeds while using their usual devices. RESULTS: Lower-extremity muscle strength and FMA motor score correlated significantly with the spatiotemporal characteristics of gait and contributed significantly to the variance in gait velocity, stride length, and double-stance time. The JPS was not related to gait performance, except that the ankle JPS contributed significantly to the variance in gait velocity and stride length. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with chronic stroke, motor function was significantly related to gait performance. Although the JPS was not, that of the ankle joint made a significant contribution. When enhancing gait performance is desired, improving the motor function is recommended, and the role of JPS should also be taken into consideration.
Authors: Jesse C Dean; Aaron E Embry; Katy H Stimpson; Lindsay A Perry; Steven A Kautz Journal: Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) Date: 2017-03-02 Impact factor: 2.063