Postural control during quiet standing and voluntary stepping response tasks in individuals post-stroke : a case-control study

Moisan, G; Chayasit, P; Boonsinsukh, R; Nester, CJ; Hollands, K

Abstract

Background: Postural control impairments following a stroke have impact on mobility, reduce independence and increase the risk of falls. Assessing these impairments during tasks representative of real-life situations, such as quiet standing (QS) and voluntary stepping response (VSR) will enhance our understanding of how the postural control system is impaired in individuals post-stroke (IPS). It will also inform the development of a more targeted and effective rehabilitation to prevent falls in IPS.
Objectives: Identify the postural control impairments encountered by IPS during QS and VSR.
Methods: Twenty IPS and sixteen healthy controls were recruited to perform QS and VSR tasks while ground reaction forces and whole-body motion were measured. Displacement and speed variation of the COM, centre of pressure (COP) displacement and spatiotemporal data were calculated and compared between groups.
Results: During QS, IPS exhibited greater maximal COP displacement in mediolateral direction, COM displacement in vertical direction and COM speed excursions compared to controls. During VSR, IPS exhibited smaller step length, braking force, posterior foot placement in relation to the pelvis and COM anteroposterior excursion compared to controls. IPS presented less static and dynamic postural stability compared to controls.
Conclusions: Greater postural sway during QS, smaller anteroposterior COM displacement before losing balance and altered voluntary recovering steps during VSR could place IPS at more risk of falling when they face a postural challenge in the community. These novel results will improve the current knowledge base and should be considered in IPS rehabilitation.

Citation

Moisan, G., Chayasit, P., Boonsinsukh, R., Nester, C., & Hollands, K. (2021). Postural control during quiet standing and voluntary stepping response tasks in individuals post-stroke : a case-control study. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 29(7), 465-472. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2021.1943803

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 25, 2021
• Publication Date: Jun 25, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 27, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 25, 2022
• Journal: Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 1074-9357
• Electronic ISSN: 1945-5119
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 465-472
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2021.1943803
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2021.1943803
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ytsr20
• Additional Information: Access Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation on 25th June 2021, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10749357.2021.1943803.; Funders : Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR);Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Santé (FRQS);Thailand Research Fund; Projects : PHD/0076/2558; Grant Number: PHD/0076/2558