Stepping characteristics during externally induced lateral reactive and voluntary steps in chronic stroke

Stepping is critical for responding to perturbations, whether externally induced or self-initiated. Falls post-stroke is equally likely to happen from either mechanism. The objective of the study was, to examine lateral stepping performance during waist-pull induced reactive steps and voluntary choice reaction time steps in chronic stroke and controls.

In this cross-sectional study participants with chronic stroke (N = 10) and age- and gender-matched controls (N = 10) performed reactive and voluntary lateral steps. Step initiation time, global step length, step clearance, and step velocity were calculated. Other measures for reactive step included, Balance tolerance limit (perturbation magnitude when recovery transitioned from single to multiple steps), and step type. The Community Balance & Mobility Scale, and hip abductor and adductor isokinetic asymmetry torque ratio were assessed.

The paretic and non-paretic leg were combined since step characteristics did not differ. Step (voluntary vs. reactive) by group (stroke vs. controls) was significant for step initiation time. The stroke group took longer initiating a voluntary step (P = 0.004). Reactive and voluntary steps were executed slower (P = 0.041), with a reduced step length (P = 0.028) by the stroke group. The stroke group had a lower balance tolerance limit (P = 0.01) and took reactive medial steps more frequently (P = 0.001). The Community Balance & Mobility Scale (P > 0.001), and hip abductor and adductor asymmetry torque ratio (P > 0.001; P = 0.015) was reduced in the stroke group.

Our findings indicate individuals post-stroke are slower initiating and executing reactive and voluntary steps. Though the reactive step timing is less impaired, this may be a method for enhancing faster voluntary movements and training reactive balance.