Article

BACKGROUND: Patients with stroke walk with excessive foot inversion at the
affected side, which may disturb their balance and gait. OBJECTIVES: This study
aimed to investigate the effects of instant biofeedback of plantar force at the
medial and lateral forefoot regions on gait and plantar foot loading in patients
with stroke. METHODS: A total of eight patients with hemiplegic stroke, who had
flexible rearfoot varus deformity at the affected side, participated in this
study. A vibrotactile biofeedback system was developed and evaluated. It analyzed
forces at the medial and lateral forefeet, and instantly provided vibration clues
when the plantar force at medial forefoot was less than a threshold. Each
subject's three-dimensional gait parameters and plantar-pressure distribution
during walking were measured under two experimental conditions (sequence
randomized): with and without the device turned on (Trial-registration number:
ChiCTR-IPB-15006530 and HKCTR-1853). RESULTS: Providing biofeedback significantly
reduced the foot inversion and increased the mid-stance foot-floor contact area
and medial midfoot plantar pressure of the affected limb, bringing the values of
these parameters closer to those of the unaffected side. The biofeedback also
significantly reduced the unaffected side's excessive knee flexion and hip
abduction. CONCLUSIONS: There were signs of improved foot loading characteristics
and gait upon provision of instant vibrotactile biofeedback of plantar force. The
positive results of this study further support the development of wearable
biofeedback devices for improving gait of patients with stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS