|
KMID : 0608320150220020001
|
|
Physical Therapy Korea
2015 Volume.22 No. 2 p.1 ~ p.10
|
|
|
Knee Strength and Ankle Range of Motion Influencing Gait Velocity and Gait Asymmetry in Patients With Chronic Stroke
|
|
Won Jong-Im
An Chang-Man
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects’ impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity (R2=.41), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry (R2=.35). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry (R2=.17). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
Ankle range of motion, Gait asymmetry, Gait velocity, Knee strength, Stroke
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|