Plantar dynamics of hemiplegic gait: a methodological approach

Vertical ground reaction forces were measured in 20 hemiplegic stroke patients with a wearable footprint analysis system to characterize patterns varying with severity of involvement. Dynamic, temporal-related and time-distance parameters were obtained from a gait sequence of about 25 s. The severity of involvement seemed to determine stride length and walking velocity (P ≤ 0.001). Although the hemiplegic side showed time support interval shortening (P < 0.01) and major alterations in reception and propulsion dynamics with decreased force values (P < 0.05), it remained nearly constant and apparently independent of the degree of involvement. Most of the differences concerned the non-hemiplegic side which seemed to provide more useful information about the evolution of the function. The implications of these results on the general approach of the pathology are discussed.