Does weight-shifting exercise improve postural symmetry in sitting in people with hemiplegia?

BACKGROUND

Weight-shifting exercise was empirically practised in correcting the biased posture of people with stroke-induced hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVES

(1) Evaluate the loading symmetry at the buttock-seat interface as a reflection of a postural defect in sitting. (2) Investigate if weight-shifting exercises could correct the postural problem of people with hemiplegia.

DESIGN

Control group design.

PARTICIPANTS

16 subjects with hemiplegia after stroke and 14 healthy individuals.

PROCEDURES: Subjects were assessed for buttock-seat interface loading while in erect sitting using a seat pressure mapping system. Subjects with stroke then practised one session of weight-shifting exercise followed by a reassessment.

RESULTS

The subjects with hemiplegia, particularly those with right hemisphere lesion, had more load borne at the buttock ipsilateral to the side of stroke lesion. The weight-shifting exercise did not produce an immediate improvement on the loading asymmetry.

CONCLUSION

The exercise would require further investigation to clarify its benefits in treating postural problems after stroke.