The support taken through walking aids during hemiplegic gait

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation science
• Biomechanics
• Neurology

Background:

• Hemiplegia, a common consequence of stroke, often necessitates assistive devices for ambulation.
• The selection of appropriate walking aids is crucial for optimizing support and mobility in hemiplegic individuals.
• Current clinical practice often relies on therapist experience rather than empirical evidence for aid selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of different walking aids (normal stick, high stick, tripod) on the amount of support used by hemiplegic subjects.
• To investigate the relationship between the degree of hemiplegic impairment, walking ability, and the support provided by various assistive devices.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen independent-walking hemiplegic subjects participated.
• Gait parameters and support taken from aids were measured while using a normal stick, high stick, and tripod.
• Outcome measures included velocity, functional ability (Rivermead Motor Assessment), percentage bodyweight through aid, aid contact time, and pelvic shift.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in the amount of support or walking ability across the different walking aids.
• A significant negative correlation was found between hemiplegia severity and the percentage of bodyweight supported by the aid (r=-0.67).
• Aid contact time showed significant negative correlations with both hemiplegia severity (r=-0.53) and walking ability (r=-0.53).

Conclusions:

• The type of walking aid used did not influence the amount of support required by hemiplegic individuals.
• Findings challenge prevailing clinical beliefs among British neurological physiotherapists regarding aid selection.
• The study highlights the need for evidence-based practice in choosing assistive devices for hemiplegia.