Article

Understanding locomotor behavior is important to guide rehabilitation after
stroke. This study compared lower-limb kinematics during the walking and turning
sub-tasks of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in stroke patients and healthy
subjects. We also determined the parameters which explain TUG sub-task
performance time in healthy subjects. Biomechanical parameters were recorded
during the TUG in standardized conditions in 25 healthy individuals and 29
patients with chronic stroke using a 3D motion-analysis system. Parameters were
compared between groups and a stepwise regression was used to indicate parameters
which explained performance time in the healthy subjects. The percentage
difference in step length between the last and first steps was calculated, during
walking sub-tasks for each group. Speed, cadence, step length, percentage paretic
single support phase, percentage non-paretic swing phase, peak hip extension,
knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion were significantly reduced in the Stroke
group compared to the Healthy group (p<0.05). In the Healthy group, step length
and cadence explained 91% of variance for Go and 86% for Return (walking
sub-tasks), and none of the parameters explained the Turn. Previous study in
patients with stroke showed that the same parameters explained the variance
during the walking sub-tasks and balance-related parameters explained the Turn.
The present results showed that step length was differently modulated in each
group. Thus the locomotor behavior of patients with stroke during obstacle
circumvention is quite specific in light of the results obtained in healthy subjects.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS