Demonstration of posturographic parameters of squat-stand activity in hemiparetic patients on a new multi-utility balance assessing and training system

Abstract

BackgroundQuantitative evaluation of position control ability in stroke patients is needed. Here we report a demonstration of position control ability assessment and test-retest reliability during squat-stand activity on a new system in hemiparetic patients and controls.MethodsSixty-two healthy adults and thirty-four hemiparetics were enrolled.All of the participants were required to complete five repeated squat-stand activities under three different conditions: partial weight support, standard weight bearing, and resistance. The healthy adults’ test was repeated twice to assess the reliability, while the hemiparetics were tested one time to assess impairments in their position control ability. The healthy participants completed their second test 1 wk after the first. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess test-retest reliability.ResultsDuring partial weight support, the ICCs ranged from 0.77 to 0.91, which indicated a good reliability. During standard weight bearing and resistance, the ICCs varied from 0.64 to 0.86 and 0.54 to 0.84, respectively, indicating a fair reliability. Compared with the healthy adults, the stroke patients demonstrated poorer position control ability.ConclusionsThe posturography of the squat-stand activity is a new and reliable measurement tool for position control. According to the methods proposed here, hemiparetics can be differentiated from healthy adults using the squat-stand activity. This activity will provide a new evaluation tool and therapy with visual feedback for the stroke patients.Trial registrationChinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR-TRC-10000863

Cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire-Revised: WFQ-R-Brazil

“…The average age of the hemiparesis group was 61.83 ± 12.88 years old, similar to the average age of the participants taking part in other studies 7,25,26 . Considering gender, 75% of the participants with post-stroke hemiparesis in this study were women, against the trend observed in other research studies, in which a higher prevalence of men was found 27,28 .…”

“…Moreover, as 50% of the participants in the hemiparesis group only had schooling ranging from one to four years, the lower schooling levels could have contributed to the lower cognitive performance in this group 23,25 . Our hemiparesis sample, made up of people living for a long period with their disability (20 to 254 months), may have contributed to the increased quality of life shown by the high scores in the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life-Brazil 23,26,28 . According to the activities identified in the COPM, the participants identified activities related to functional mobility, such as independent gait (no need for assistive device or having to be accompanied by third parties), and gait tolerance and the ability to climb/descend stairs.…”

Reliability of the measures of weight-bearing distribution obtained during quiet stance by digital scales in subjects with and without hemiparesis

“…(2) asymmetrical distribution toward paretic hemibody and (3) asymmetrical distribution toward non-paretic hemibody (Lu et al, 2013;Mansfield et al, 2013;Martins et al, 2011a,b).…”

“…During the last 10 years, researchers have shown how important it is to verify weight-bearing distribution supporting bodies affected by hemiparesis after stroke in an upright position, associating weight-bearing symmetrically or asymmetrically distributed with functional activities (Hendrickson et al, 2014;Lu et al, 2013;Mansfield et al, 2013;Nardone et al, 2009;Pereira, Botelho, and Martins, 2010;Pyöriä, Era, and Talvitie, 2004).…”

“…Knowing how people distribute weight-bearing between hemibodies is relevant information in guiding rehabilitation by identifying weight shift ability, relationship between performance and kinds of distribution (symmetries or asymmetries), and adequate limb loading (Hendrickson et al, 2014;Hurkmans et al, 2003;Lu et al, 2013;Pereira, Botelho, and Martins, 2010;Pyöriä, Era, and Talvitie, 2004).…”