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Postural sway during cane use by patients with stroke.
A Maeda1, K Nakamura, S Higuchi
1Department of Public Health, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|February 1, 2002
Summary
Using a cane significantly improves balance and reduces postural sway in stroke survivors, even more effectively than in healthy elderly individuals. This study quantifies the benefits of cane use for patients with stroke living at home.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Postural sway, or the body's ability to maintain balance, is often impaired in individuals who have experienced a stroke.
- Assessing and improving balance in stroke survivors is crucial for their independence and fall prevention, especially for those living at home.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate the impact of using a cane on postural sway in home-dwelling stroke patients.
- To compare the effectiveness of cane use for balance support between stroke patients and healthy elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- 41 stroke patients and 36 healthy elderly individuals participated in the study.
- Postural sway was measured using a gravicorder while subjects stood in the Romberg position, both with and without cane support.
- Gravity-center sway was analyzed under two conditions: unsupported and supported by a cane.
Main Results:
- Patients with stroke exhibited significantly greater gravity-center sway than healthy elderly individuals.
- The area of gravity-center sway was largest for all subjects when standing without support.
- Cane use reduced postural sway by 53.9-58.0% in stroke patients and 67.7-67.8% in healthy elderly individuals.
Conclusions:
- Body support with a cane effectively reduces postural sway in stroke patients.
- The positive effect of cane use on postural sway was more pronounced in stroke patients compared to healthy elderly individuals, highlighting its significant benefit for this population.