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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Gait initiation and partial body weight unloading for functional improvement in post-stroke individuals

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Author(s):
Gama, Gabriela L. [1] ; Celestino, Melissa L. [1] ; Barela, Jose A. [2] ; Barela, Ana M. F. [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Cruzeiro Sul, Inst Phys Act & Sport Sci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Phys Educ, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: GAIT & POSTURE; v. 68, p. 305-310, FEB 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Background: To better understand gait initiation in individuals with stroke and suggest possible training strategies, we compared the gait initiation of individuals with stroke and age-matched controls, and we examined the influence of different amounts of body weight support (BWS) during the execution of gait initiation in individuals with stroke. Materials and methods: Twelve individuals with stroke and 12 age-matched controls initiated gait after a verbal command at a self-selected and comfortable speed, and individuals with stroke also initiated gait wearing a harness with 0%, 15%, and 30% of BWS. Length and velocity of the first step, distance between heels, and weight bearing in both lower limbs in the initial position were calculated. We also assessed the displacement and average velocity of the center of pressure (CoP) in the medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) directions in 3 distinct sections during gait initiation, which correspond to the CoP position toward the swing limb, stance limb and progression line, respectively. Results: Individuals with stroke presented shorter and slower step, shorter and slower CoP-ML and CoP-AP toward swing limb and Cop-ML towards stance limb, and longer and faster CoP-AP toward stance limb compared to their peers. The BWS lead individuals with stroke to decrease step length and to increase CoP-ML displacement and average velocity toward stance limb. Conclusion: Individuals with stroke present impairments in executing gait initiation mainly during the preparation period and the employment of an overground BWS system promotes a better performance. These results suggest that BWS is a functional strategy that enables individuals with stroke to modulate gait initiation and it could be adopted for gait intervention. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/01050-1 - Walking training with partial body weight support on static and dynamic surfaces in individuals with hemiparesis due to stroke
Grantee:Gabriela Lopes Gama
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 09/15003-0 - Use of somatosensory information on postural control of elderly individuals
Grantee:Ana Maria Forti Barela
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 13/02322-5 - Use of dynamic and static surfaces during walking training with partial body weight support in individuals post-stroke
Grantee:Ana Maria Forti Barela
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 10/15218-3 - Use of partial body weight support system on static and dynamic surfaces during walking training of children with cerebral palsy
Grantee:Ana Maria Forti Barela
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 15/13100-9 - Effects of gait training with partial body weight support on the intra- and inter-members coordination of individuals post stroke
Grantee:Melissa Leandro Celestino
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate