Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to observe the immediate changes on gait speed and qualitative gait parameters with and without the use of additional shoe raise on unaffected lower limb in poststroke hemiparetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one participants with chronic stroke from SBB College of Physiotherapy, of either gender (40–70 years), able to walk 20 m with or without external aids were included in the study by purposive sampling. Patients with severe spasticity, fixed contractures, and audio, visual, or perceptual impairments were excluded from the study. An observational study was conducted where patients were tested under two conditions – pre- and postinserting a 1.5 cm shoe raise on the unaffected limb. Patients explained the nature of the study, and a 10-m walk test was performed along with video recording from anterior, posterior, and lateral views, which were later analyzed using Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS). RESULTS: The mean age was 52.903 ± 8.423 and poststroke duration was 28.806 ± 1.836. Out of 31 patients, 20 were male and 11 female; 17 patients had right-sided hemiparesis, in 14 left-sided hemiparesis, out of which 26 were chronic and 5 were acute poststroke patients. Values for pre- and postscores of WGS were Z= −4.88, P= 0.000, and scores for speed were Z= −4.89, P= 0.000. CONCLUSION: From this study, it has been concluded that shoe raising, given on unaffected lower limb to hemiparetic patients, has shown a significant difference in pre- and postgait qualitative parameters and speed in both males and females of age group 40–70 years.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call