ABSTRACT:For 21 hemiplegia patients we measured the rising up maneuver time and the center of pressure (COP) in the single elbow support position to find out which physical functions influence it and prevent the rising up maneuver, for treatment strategies. The rising up maneuver time and COP in the single elbow support position using a force plate under the static and dynamic conditions were measured. For the physical function, we measured the range of motion of trunk rotation, hemiplegia motor function, flaccidity of the shoulder girdle on the hemiplegic paralysis side, trunk rotation muscle strength, motor functions of the neck, trunk and pelvis, COP of the muscle strength of upper limb in the single elbow support position and in sitting on the edge of a bed position under static and dynamic conditions. The rising up maneuver time had a significant negative correlation with COP Y axis maximal movement distance (YD) in the single elbow support position under the dynamic condition. For stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, range of motion of trunk rotation, hemiplegia motor function, flaccidity of the shoulder girdle on the hemiplegic paralysis side, COP of the muscle strength of upper limb in the single elbow support position and sitting on the edge of a bed position under static and dynamic condition were adopted for YD interpretation. The analysis suggests dynamic stability in hemiplegia patients is a factor in performing a rising up maneuver smoothly. Furthermore, performing a rising up maneuver smoothly needs complex physical functions requiring multi-faceted approaches to each individual case.

Abstract. The present investigation aimed to clarify the physical functional abilities involved in the disturbance of smooth rising from a supine position in hemiplegic patients. The study compared task performance time and functional abilities between patients rising from a supine position with or without gripping the edge of the bed. Subjects comprising 21 hemiplegic patients were divided into 2 groups: those who needed to grip the edge of the bed to rise from a supine position (Group G, n=7); and those who did not (Group NG, n=14). The 2 groups displayed no significant differences in background characteristics other than age, with mean age for Group G significantly higher than that for Group NG. Rising performance time and 11 items for physical functional abilities were measured in all subjects. Rising performance time was significantly higher in Group G than in Group NG (p<0.05). Neck-trunk-pelvis motor function was lower (p<0.01), muscle tone was abnormal in more subjects (p<0.05) and strength of trunk rotation to the unaffected side was weak in more subjects (p<0.05) in Group G than in Group NG. No other physical functional abilities differed significantly between groups. These results suggest that patients rising from a supine position by gripping the edge of the bed display restricted task performance, and the main factors leading to a requirement for grip assistance seem to be abnormality and disability of trunk functions.