Does stroke-induced sensorimotor impairment and perturbation intensity affect gait-slip outcomes?. (30th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dusane, Shamali; Gangwani, Rachana; Patel, Prakruti; Bhatt, Tanvi
• Is Part Of: Journal of biomechanics. Volume 118(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03-30
• Subjects: Gait-slip -- Stroke -- Reactive balance -- Perturbation intensity -- Stability; Animal mechanics -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; Mécanique animale -- Périodiques; Biomécanique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 571.4305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110255
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9290

Abstract

Abstract: People with chronic stroke (PwCS) demonstrate similar gait-slip fall-risk on both paretic and non-paretic side. Compensatory stepping and slipping limb control are crucial to reduce gait-slip fall-risk. Given the unpredictable intensities of real-life perturbations, this study aimed to determine whether recovery from paretic or non-paretic slips vary as a function of perturbation intensity among PwCS. Forty-four PwCS were assigned to non-paretic low intensity slip, non-paretic high intensity slip, paretic low intensity slip, or paretic high intensity slip group. Participants were subjected to a novel overground gait-slip with a distance of 24 cm (low) or 45 cm (high), under either limb. Recovery strategies, center of mass (CoM) state stability and slipping kinematics were analyzed. Both non-paretic high and low intensity groups demonstrated similar percentage of aborted and recovery stepping, however, paretic high intensity group demonstrated greater aborted stepping (p > 0.05). Both high and low intensity paretic slip groups demonstrated reduced post-slip CoM stability relative to the non-paretic slip groups (p < 0.05). Slip displacement was greater in paretic high group compared with non-paretic high group (p < 0.05). Greater slip displacement at higher intensity was noted only in paretic slip group (p < 0.05). The slip velocity was faster in paretic groups compared to non-paretic slip groups (p < 0.05). Paretic slips showed lower stability at both intensities associated with difficulty in modulating slipping kinematics and resorting to an increased aborted stepping strategy compared to non-paretic slip. These findings are suggestive of developing balance interventions for improving both compensatory non-paretic limb stepping and reactive control of slipping paretic limb for fall-risk reduction.