[Instrumental gait analysis in stroke patients]

The motor control deficits after stroke affect the gait pattern. There is a significant variability between subjects.

To analyse, by using a capture motion system, the gait pattern in stroke patients with different levels of motor function, and to establish, despite the participants heterogeneity, what alterations in the gait pattern are usual in each participant.

Nine stroke subjects with independent gait and ten control subjects participated in this study. Motion capture was performed using the VICON Motion System ®. The motion of the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle were analyzed in the sagittal plane. Also, the spatio-temporal parameters of gait were observed.

The motor function evaluated using the Flug-Meyer Assessment (lower limb section) varied between 15 and 33 points. Participants had alterations in the kinematic pattern which were common between each of them. In stroke patients it was observed: an increment of the pelvis range of motion in both sides; at the hip joint, a decrease of the maximum peak of extension during the stance phase in the affected side and a greater flexion during the stance and the swing periods in the non-affected side; at the knee, a major knee flexion during the initial contact; and at the ankle joint, an slight ankle plantar flexion during the initial contact on the affected side.

There are several landmarks in stroke gait that the clinicians should keep attention during the walking observation.