Postural control during sit-to stand and gait in stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of sit-to-stand and gait performance in hemiplegic stroke patients.

DESIGN

A total of 40 chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia and 22 age-matched healthy subjects were included in this study. Data of a motion analysis system and three force platforms were collected in a rehabilitation unit of a medical center.

RESULTS

Laboratory sit-to-stand measurement and gait analysis were evaluated in both groups via three AMTI (Advanced Mechanical Technology Inc.) force platforms and a Vicon 370 system (six high-resolution cameras and one AMTI force plate), respectively. The sit-to-stand and gait parameters of hemiplegic patients were correlated significantly, especially in rising speed and the maximal vertical force of both legs during rising.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemiplegic stroke patients, who could stand up within 4.5 sec or who had a maximal vertical force difference of less than 30% of body weight between both legs, had better gait performance than the others did.