Abstract
BackgroundStroke is a leading cause of disability with associated hemiparesis resulting in difficulty bearing and transferring weight on to the paretic limb. Difficulties in weight bearing and weight transfer may result in impaired mobility and balance, increased fall risk, and decreased community engagement. Despite considerable efforts aimed at improving weight transfer after stroke, impairments in its neuromotor and biomechanical control remain poorly understood. In the present study, a novel experimental paradigm was used to characterize differences in weight transfer biomechanics in individuals with chronic stroke versus able-bodied controlsMethodsFifteen participants with stroke and fifteen age-matched able-bodied controls participated in the study. Participants stood with one foot on each of two custom built platforms. One of the platforms dropped 4.3 cm vertically to induce lateral weight transfer and weight bearing. Trials involving a drop of the platform beneath the paretic lower extremity (non-dominant limb for control) were included in the analyses. Paretic lower extremity joint kinematics, vertical ground reaction forces, and center of pressure velocity were measured. All participants completed the clinical Step Test and Four-Square Step Test.ResultsReduced paretic ankle, knee, and hip joint angular displacement and velocity, delayed ankle and knee inter-joint timing, increased downward displacement of center of mass, and increased center of pressure (COP) velocity stabilization time were exhibited in the stroke group compared to the control group. In addition, paretic COP velocity stabilization time during induced weight transfer predicted Four-Square Step Test scores in individuals post-stroke.ConclusionsThe induced weight transfer approach identified stroke-related abnormalities in the control of weight transfer towards the paretic limb side compared to controls. Decreased joint flexion of the paretic ankle and knee, altered inter-joint timing, and increased COP stabilization times may reflect difficulties in neuromuscular control during weight transfer following stroke. Future work will investigate the potential of improving functional weight transfer through induced weight transfer training exercise.
Highlights
Stroke is a leading cause of disability with associated hemiparesis resulting in difficulty bearing and transferring weight on to the paretic limb
During the shock absorption phase, reduced ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion, and hip abduction were observed in the stroke group compared to the control group
Peak angular velocity of ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion, and hip abduction were decreased in individuals with stroke compared to controls
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of disability with associated hemiparesis resulting in difficulty bearing and transferring weight on to the paretic limb. We reported the ability to transfer weight laterally to the paretic leg during single stance was associated with self-selected walking speed and the capacity to increase walking speed [14]. This may indicate that weight transfer deficits negatively affect forward progression. Deficits in paretic limb weight-bearing contribute to lateral and vertical balance instability and are associated with risk of falling in individuals with chronic stroke [16]. These functional limitations can affect community participation and quality of life. Restoring the capacity to load the paretic limb is an important goal for rehabilitation post-stroke [17,18,19]
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