Functional implication of gait after left or right-sided stroke.

Abstract

Objective: To quantify and compare parameters of muscle electrical activity and ground reaction force of lower limb during gait in post-stroke patients with left or right side functional involvement.

Method: Fifteen post-stroke volunteers with left side functional involvement were age, gender and weight matched and compared to fifteen post-stroke volunteers with right side functional involvement. Comparison was executed by means of electromyography with four pairs of surface electrodes positioned on the affected side (spastic side), on the muscles rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, soleus, and medial portion of the hamstrings, and with a ground reaction force plate.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference on electromyographic activity of analyzed muscles (p = 0.6), nor on the analysis of ground reaction vertical forces, stride duration, weight bearing index, gait velocity, cadence and stride length (p = 0.53).

Conclusion: According to the electromyographic parameters and to the ground reaction force during gait among the post-stroke volunteers with right or left side involvement; we could suggest that functional rehabilitation presented no differences for these individuals.