The Effect of Walking Aids on Balance and Weight-Bearing Patterns of Patients With Hemiparesis in Various Stance Positions
By Laufer, Yocheved; Physical Therapy (PTJ) , Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 112-122Publication Date: February 2003
Study examines the effects of standard and quad canes on postural sway and on weight-bearing patterns in patients with hemiparesis. Thirty people with a diagnosis of unilateral hemiparesis following a stroke participated in the study. Twelve of the participants were female, while eight were male. The examinations were carried out with the Tetrax Portable Multiple System, which includes two paired portable forceplates. Each forceplate is equipped with a separate transducer: one for each heel, and one for each forefoot. Postural sway and percentage of body weight distributed on each lower extremity were measured in three stance positions: (1) with heels aligned with each other, (2) with the affected lower extremity placed forward (affected FW), and (3) with the unaffected lower extremity placed forward (unaffected FW). Results showed that only the quad cane reduced postural sway in both the aligned and unaffected FW positions. In the affected FW position, both types of canes reduced postural sway; however, the quad cane had the greater affect.
Published by: American Physical Therapy Association (Website:http://www.apta.org)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J45208
