Accuracy of weightbearing estimation by stroke versus healthy subjects.

This study was performed to describe and compare the accuracy of weightbearing at three target levels (25, 50, and 75% of body weight) of 14 ambulatory stroke subjects and 14 matched healthy subjects. Weightbearing through a designated lower extremity (stroke subjects-paretic, healthy subjects-randomly selected) was measured with digital scales. No significant difference was found in magnitude of weightbearing (%) between the stroke and healthy groups. Although making significantly greater errors in weightbearing than healthy subjects, stroke subjects did not consistently weightbear under target. Subjects with stroke tested in earlier studies were neither asked to stand symmetrically nor examined to judge whether they were capable of accepting the required weight through the paretic lower extremity. Before assuming that weightbearing asymmetry is a problem in patients with stroke, clinicians should examine weightbearing behavior more specifically.