For Patients with Stroke, Balance Ability Affects the Leg Extension Angle on the Affected Side

Abstract

In stroke patients, the impact of lower limb physical functions on the leg extension angle remains unclear. We set out to reveal the physical impairments of the affected side in such patients that were associated with leg extension angle during gait. Twenty-six stroke patients walked for 16 m at a spontaneous speed. During walking, the leg extension angle and the increment of velocity during late stance, as an indicator of propulsion, were measured by inertial measurement units. The Berg balance scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer assessment-lower limb, and motricity index-lower limb (MI-LL) were also evaluated. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed to reveal functions associated with the leg extension angle on the affected side. A path analysis was also used to confirm the relationship between the extracted factors, leg extension angle, and gait speed. Multiple regression analysis showed that the BBS was significantly related to the leg extension angle on the affected side (p < 0.001). Path analysis revealed that the leg extension angle was also indirectly affected by the MI-LL and that it affected gait speed via propulsion on the affected side. These findings could guide the prescription of effective gait training for improving gait performance during stroke rehabilitation.

Stroke walking and balance characteristics via principal component analysis

“…Moreover, the cut-off BBS score of 29 on admission predicted that an individual would go on to achieve community walking speed (n = 123, area under the curve = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81–0.95), and the cut-off score of 12 predicted a non-ambulator to regain unassisted ambulation (n = 84, AUC 0.73, 95% CI 0.62–0.84) 21 . A recent study found that balance ability, as measured by the BBS, was a significant predictor of affected leg extension angle during gait in stroke patients (p < 0.001) 22 . They also suggested that increasing balance ability is useful in increasing leg extension angle during walking and may be effective in improving walking speed 22 .…”

“…A recent study found that balance ability, as measured by the BBS, was a significant predictor of affected leg extension angle during gait in stroke patients (p < 0.001) 22 . They also suggested that increasing balance ability is useful in increasing leg extension angle during walking and may be effective in improving walking speed 22 . Therefore, gait performance with compensatory adaptations of patients with strokes was associated with balance deficit and the relationship of these factors in the physical functioning of these patients requires consideration.…”