Article

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of using a cane on
movement time, joint moment, weight symmetry, and muscle activation patterns
during sit-to-stand (STS) transfer in healthy subjects and subjects who have had
a stroke. DESIGN: Nine subjects with hemiparesis (mean [SD] age, 61.11 [12.83]
yrs) and nine healthy adults (mean [SD] age, 63.11 [10.54] yrs) were included.
The subjects with hemiparesis performed STS transfer in two randomly assigned
conditions: (1) without a cane and (2) with a cane. The healthy subjects
performed only STS transfer without a cane. A three-dimensional motion system,
force plates, and eletromyography were used to examine STS transfer. The symmetry
index between the two limbs was calculated. RESULTS: The movement time of the
subjects with hemiparesis in both conditions without a cane and with a cane was
longer than that of the healthy subjects without a cane (P < 0.025). However, STS
transfer with a cane in the subjects with hemiparesis resulted in shorter
movement time, greater knee extensor moment of the paretic limb, and more
symmetry of weight bearing than in those without a cane (P < 0.05). The sequence
of muscle onset tended to improve with a cane in the subjects with hemiparesis.
CONCLUSIONS: Cane use may promote more symmetrical STS transfers rather than
compensation by the unaffected limb.

Langue : ANGLAIS