Characteristics of Ground Reaction Force Variability During Walking in Post-Stroke Patients

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Gait impairment post-stroke elevates fall risk.
• The specific role of ground reaction force variability (GRF variability) in post-stroke gait stability is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare GRF variability during walking between post-stroke patients and age-matched controls.
• To determine differences in GRF variability between post-stroke fallers and non-fallers.

Main Methods:

• Nineteen post-stroke patients and nineteen age-matched controls participated.
• Ground reaction force variability was measured using shoe sensors during walking.
• Statistical analyses, including adjustments for walking speed, sex, and orthosis, were performed.

Main Results:

• Post-stroke patients showed significantly lower anterior-posterior (AP) GRF variability on the paretic side during the 91-100% stance phase compared to controls.
• Fallers within the stroke group exhibited lower AP GRF variability on the paretic side across multiple stance phases (41-50%, 51-60%, 61-70%, and 91-100%).
• Sensitivity analysis indicated no significant intergroup differences after adjusting for sex and orthosis.

Conclusions:

• Reduced AP GRF variability on the paretic side may indicate an adaptive mechanism for gait control in post-stroke patients.
• These findings suggest that altered GRF variability patterns are associated with fall risk in stroke survivors.
• Further research into these adaptive mechanisms could inform fall prevention strategies.