Ankle muscle activity characteristics of stroke patients with hemiplegia at gait initiation

This study aimed to clarify the ankle muscle activity characteristics during gait initiation in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Gait initiation behavior was analyzed in 10 elderly controls and 30 stroke patients with hemiplegia. Activity latencies of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles on both sides were measured using surface electromyography. The left and right conditions of the participant's leading leg were randomized and specified, and the gait initiation task was performed six times. Muscle activity latencies between the stance and stepping sides in both groups were compared. We also compared the paretic and non-paretic sides of stroke patients.

Muscle activity latency of the paretic leg was delayed in stroke patients compared to elderly controls. Activity latencies of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles on the paretic side were delayed compared to those on the non-paretic side in stroke patients when leading with the paretic leg. Delayed muscle activity latency was observed only in the tibialis anterior muscle on the paretic side than on the non-paretic side when leading with the non-paretic leg.

This study showed that muscle activity in the paretic leg of stroke patients was delayed and that ankle muscle activity characteristics differed depending on the leading leg. These new results may provide a basis for training aimed at improving the latency of muscle activity in the paretic leg, as well as specific training for gait initiation by guiding the non-paretic leg, considering muscle activity patterns.