Intersegmental coordination of gait after hemorrhagic stroke

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Stroke frequently impairs motor control, affecting gait and intersegmental coordination.
• Understanding gait deviations in stroke is crucial for developing effective rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare gait coordination using the planar law between hemorrhagic stroke survivors and healthy controls.
• To identify specific kinematic differences in gait segments (thigh, shank, foot) between groups.

Main Methods:

• Principal component analysis (PCA) of sagittal plane elevation angles for thigh, shank, and foot segments.
• Comparison of range of motion and timing of peak angles between paretic, non-paretic, and control legs.
• Analysis of gait loop trajectory and principal component loadings.

Main Results:

• Paretic legs showed reduced shank and foot elevation angle range compared to non-paretic and control legs.
• Thigh elevation angle peaked later in the gait cycle for the paretic leg.
• Stroke gait loops deviated from a typical teardrop shape, more pronounced in the paretic leg, with altered PCA loadings.

Conclusions:

• While stroke gait follows the planar law, it exhibits atypical thigh motion timing and disrupted intersegmental coordination in both legs.
• These findings highlight specific coordination deficits post-stroke, informing targeted therapeutic interventions.