Individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis are able to use additional sensory information to reduce postural sway

Autor(es)

Cunha, B. P. ^[1] ; Alouche, S. R. ^[1] ; Araujo, I. M. G. ; Freitas, S. M. S. F. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Cidade Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Fisioterapia, BR-03071000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Neuroscience Letters; v. 513, n. 1, p. 6-11, MAR 28 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 24

Resumo

The present study aimed to investigate whether stroke survivals are able to use the additional somatosensory information provided by the light touch to reduce their postural sway during the upright stance. Eight individuals, naturally right-handed pre-stroke, and eight healthy age-matched adults stood as quiet as possible on a force plate during 35 s. Participants performed two trials for each visual condition (eyes open and closed) and somatosensory condition (with and without the right or left index fingertip touching an instrumented rigid and fixed bar). When participants touched the bar, they were asked to apply less than 1 N of vertical force. The postural sway was assessed by the center of pressure (COP) displacement area, mean amplitude and velocity. In addition, the mean and standard deviation of the force vertically applied on the bar during the trials with touch were assessed. The averaged values of COP area, amplitude and velocity were greater for stroke individuals compared to healthy adults during all visual and somatosensory conditions. For both groups, the values of all variables increased when participants stood with eyes closed and reduced when they touched the bar regardless of the side of the touch. Overall, the results suggested that, as healthy individuals, persons with post-stroke hemiparesis are able to use the additional somatosensory information provided by the light touch to reduce the postural sway. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/15360-4 - Uso da informação sensorial adicional no controle postural de indivíduos pós acidente vascular encefálico
• Beneficiário: Sandra Maria Sbeghen Ferreira de Freitas
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular