Effect of an arm sling on gait pattern in patients with hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of an arm sling on gait patterns of patients with hemiplegia.

DESIGN

Crossover design of 3-dimensional gait analysis and concomitant video recordings performed during a single session.

SETTING

Rehabilitation ward gait laboratory of a university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-one patients (20 men, 11 women) with hemiplegia with an average age of 53.1+/-9.7 years and 31 age-, sex-, height-, and weight-matched able-bodied persons.

INTERVENTIONS: All patients with hemiplegia and able-bodied controls walked at self-selected speed over a 10-m walkway, either with or without an arm sling.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time-distance, kinematic, and kinetic parameters of gait.

RESULTS

The able-bodied group did not show any difference in gait parameters while using the sling. However, in patients with hemiplegia wearing a sling, walking speed and stance period of the paretic side increased, double support time of the paretic side decreased, excursion of the center of gravity (COG) decreased, and weight bearing of the paretic side increased.

CONCLUSIONS

An arm sling improved gait, especially during gait training sessions of patients with hemiplegia who have impaired body image and excessive motion of the COG.