Baropodometric technology used to analyze types of weight-bearing during hemiparetic upright position

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although baropodometric analysis has been published since the 1990s, only now it is found a considerable number of studies showing different uses in the rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To amplify the use of this technology, this research aimed to analyze baropodometric records during upright position of subjects with hemiparesis, describing a way to define weight-bearing profiles in this population. METHOD: 20 healthy subjects were matched by gender and age with 12 subjects with chronic spastic hemiparesis. This control group was formed to establish the limits of symmetry during weight-bearing distribution in the hemiparesis group. Next, hemiparesis group was submitted to procedures to measure baropodometric records used to provide variables related to the weight-bearing distribution, the arch index and the displacements in the center of pressure (CoP). Data were used to compare differences among kinds of weight-bearing distribution (symmetric, asymmetric toward non-paretic or paretic foot) and coordination system for CoP displacements. RESULTS: Hemiparesis group was compounded by eight symmetrics, eight asymmetrics toward non-paretic foot and four asymmetric toward paretic foot. Significant differences in the weight-bearing distributions between non-predominantly and predominantly used foot did not promote differences in the other baropodometric records (peak and mean of pressure, and support area). Mainly in the asymmetry toward non-paretic foot it was observed significant modifications of the baropodometric records. CONCLUSION: Baropodometric technology can be used to analyze weight-bearing distribution during upright position of subjects with hemiparesis, detecting different kinds of weight-bearing profiles useful to therapeutic programs and researches involving subjects with this disability.

Distribuição da pressão plantar e morfologia do pé de crianças com paralisia cerebral e crianças com desenvolvimento típico

“…During the baropodometric evaluation, the pressures of right and left foot are registered, which allows the determination of weight percentage supported by each foot 8 . In both studied groups, the laterolateral weight distribution showed values close to normality, a fact that may be associated with the foot symmetry presented by most children.…”

“…This distribution analysis is relevant to the prevention of postural disorders 5,6 and can be performed with electronic baropodometry 7 , which gives an indication of foot function and helps the investigation of abnormal patterns in static position and gait, thus contributing to the disorders' understanding 4 . Studies [8][9][10] demonstrate the effectiveness of this system to plantar pressure distribution evaluation, although the comparison of baropodometry and foot morphology between children with CP and TD is still little explored 10 . Consequent CP alterations can lead to differences in those children's plantar pressure distribution and foot type, when compared with TD.…”

Atividade simpática, parassimpática e metabólica influenciadas pelo comportamento da distribuição do suporte de peso em pé adquirido na condição de hemiparesia crônica

“…Pelo registro da quantidade de peso suportado pela superfície plantar de cada hemicorpo em contato com o solo é possível calcular uma razão de simetria entre o hemicorpo não predominantemente usado e o hemicorpo predominantemente usado, estabelecendo um indicador do tipo de distribuição de suporte de peso em pé adotado por um sujeito (17) .…”

“…Contudo, qualquer outro instrumento que faça registros do suporte de peso em pé em cada hemicorpo é capaz de fornecer valores que podem ser utilizados para o cálculo desta razão de simetria (17) .…”

“…O quociente obtido na razão de simetria considera a predominância de uso, estabelecendo uma relação entre a dominância de uso por um hemicorpo de sujeitos saudáveis com a conveniência de uso de um hemicorpo não parético para sobreviventes de AVC (7) (17) .…”