Gait ability on center of pressure excursion using a pressure-sensitive mat in the elderly with ischemic stroke: a case–control study with propensity score matching

Abstract

Background: Center of pressure (COP) is a useful measure for dynamic balance, which directly represents the ability of weight shift and control of the foot, however, there is no study analyzing COP during whole stance phase in the elderly with acute stroke. Methods: A total of 30 acute ischemic stroke patients (mean age±standard deviation [SD], 75.0±5.6 years; 11 females) and 30 propensity score matched controls (mean age±SD, 72.8 ±5.9 years; 17 females) using age, sex, and Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination score were finally included. Participants performed barefoot walking trials on a pressure-sensitive mat until 20 footfalls in each limb were corrected. To evaluate gait function based on COP, mean and coefficient of variance as variability were calculated for 3 types of variables as followings: (1) durations of sub-phases in stance phase, (2) mean locations and displacement ranges of COP, and (3) velocities. Results: Significant difference was observed in many of both mean and variability variables. Especially, stroke patients had an increased duration, posterior location of COP, wide range of mediolateral and anteroposterior displacement range, and slow velocity in foot flat phase belonging to the double limb stance. In variability variables, stroke patients had significantly larger variabilities of COP velocities in all sub-phases except in foot flat phase and late propulsive phase were stood out. Conclusions: The elderly with acute ischemic stroke had inefficiency during double limb stance and reduced functional balance in single limb stance in both sides, implying impaired gait ability on COP excursion in these patients.