Effects of Standing on One Leg Exercise on Gait and Balance of Hemiplegia Patients

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare a conventional one leg standing exercise and a device-using one leg standing exercise in order to improve hemiplegia patients gait and balance function.[Subject] The subjects of this study were 30 patients who were hospitalized with hemiplegia resulting from stroke. The final number of participants was 27, because three patients were discharged during the experiment.[Methods] The participants were divided randomly and equally into a conventional one-leg standing balance exercise group (control group) and a device-using one-leg standing balance exercise group (experimental group). In the experimental group, exercise consisted of a one-leg standing weight-bearing balance exercise in which ± 5° changes could be made for dynamic changes, while maintaining a hip flexion angle of 5° and a knee flexion angle of 10° during the stance phase. [Results] In the comparison of gait traits and velocity prior to and after the therapy in both the conservative group and the device-using group, all items significantly increased after 8 weeks of therapy. TUG and BBS of both groups also significantly increased. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated the effect of a treatment method using a one leg standing balance exercise on the gait cycle.

A systematic review of mechanisms of gait speed change post-stroke. Part 1: spatiotemporal parameters and asymmetry ratios

“…Gait speed was measured by utilizing an instrumented walkway, 29–31,38,41–69 a motion analysis or instrumented gait analysis system, 70–74 or by timing ambulation along the following distances: 9 meters; 75 10 meters; 39,40,76–78 or 30 meters. 79 …”

“…Spatiotemporal variables, including cadence, step length/width parameters, and support time parameters, are frequently used to quantify gait deviations, 21,25 calculate asymmetries, 26,27 determine appropriate therapy, 9,28 and track patient progress. 29–31 Since these variables reflect alterations in movement patterns and degrees of impairment, using spatiotemporal asymmetry ratio measures may be effective as markers of recovery. 32 Many therapy trials collect data that allude to recovery potential, but 1) there is no systematic and consistent use of outcome measures to determine the contributing mechanisms of speed change; and 2) there is no systematic pooling and assimilation of data to infer collective knowledge about mechanisms.…”

Immediate effects of single-leg stance exercise on dynamic balance, weight bearing and gait cycle in stroke patients

“…A study by You et al [13] showed that when the affected side single-leg stance, timed up and go test (TUG), and berg balance scale (BBS) was applied for eight weeks, it significantly increased the subjects' ability to walk and improvement in balance could be seen.…”

“…For the single-leg stance applied in this study, the stance was set to maintain 5 o flexion at the hip joint and a 10 o flexion of the knee joint, at best, based on previous studies [13] for lower-extremity muscle activation. Additionally, the reason why knee joint movement was applied after the single-stance on the affected side in the fourth condition was that repeated movement of the joint inputs sense stimuli to sense receptors of the joints and muscles.…”

“…Symmetric weight bearing can be achieved by consistent training for proper weight bearing on the affected side. In previous studies, for symmetric weight bearing on the affected side, muscle strengthening through sit-to-stand exercises [11], weight movement training by using visual feedback [12], and single-leg exercises on the affected side with use of a tool to control the angle of the hip joint were implemented [13]. Among them, muscle strengthening exercises and single-leg exercises, which are easily applied in the clinic, are simple and efficient methods to improve the sensorimotor system of hemiplegia patients with sensory damage.…”