Perception of lower extremity loads in stroke survivors. Clin Neurophysiol 2015 Feb;126(2):372-81
Date
08/07/2014Pubmed ID
25097091DOI
10.1016/j.clinph.2014.06.047Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84921546049 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 26 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to improve our understanding of static and dynamic lower extremity sensory perception and the impact of sensory impairments on the control of walking in stroke survivors.
METHODS: Using a custom, real-time unloading system, we tested load perception at heel strike, mid stance and push off in 10 stroke survivors and compared their performance to 10 age-matched and 5 young adult control subjects. Dynamic load perception was based on a judgment of which leg was bearing more load, which was altered on a step by step basis. We also examined lower extremity static load perception, coordination, proprioception, balance, and gait symmetry.
RESULTS: The stroke survivors performed significantly worse than the control subjects in dynamic load perception, coordination, proprioception, balance and gait symmetry. Gait symmetry correlated with static and dynamic load perception measures but not with age, proprioception, coordination, and balance.
CONCLUSIONS: Sensory deficits related to load detection in the impaired limb could result in an increased uncertainty of limb load and a gait strategy in which stroke survivors minimize loading of the impaired limb.
SIGNIFICANCE: This new method of measuring lower extremity dynamic load perception provides a framework for understanding gait-related sensory impairments in stroke survivors.
Author List
Chu VW, Hornby TG, Schmit BDAuthor
Brian Schmit PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedFemale
Gait
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male
Middle Aged
Perception
Proprioception
Stroke
Survivors
Walking
Weight-Bearing
