Article

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that participants with stroke will exhibit
appropriate increase in muscle activation of the paretic leg when taking a long
step with the nonparetic leg compared to during steady-state walking, with a
consequent increase in biomechanical output and symmetry during the stance phase
of the modified gait cycle. DESIGN: Single-session observational study. SETTING:
Clinical research center in an outpatient hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS: Adults
with chronic poststroke hemiparesis (N=15). INTERVENTIONS: Participants walked on
an instrumented treadmill while kinetic, kinematic, and electromyogram data were
recorded. Participants performed steady-state walking and a separate trial of the
long-step adaptability task in which they were instructed to intermittently take
a longer step with the nonparetic leg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Forward
progression, propulsive force, and neuromuscular activation during walking.
RESULTS: Participants performed the adaptability task successfully and
demonstrated greater neuromuscular activation in appropriate paretic leg muscles,
particularly increased activity in paretic plantarflexor muscles. Propulsion and
forward progression by the paretic leg were also increased. CONCLUSIONS: These
findings support the assertion that the nonparetic long-step task may be
effective for use in poststroke locomotor rehabilitation to engage the paretic
leg and promote recovery of walking.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS