The support taken through walking aids during
hemiplegic gait

Tyson, S

Abstract

Objective : To assess the effect of different aids on the amount of support
hemiplegic subjects took from them. The relationship between the amount of
support, severity of hemiplegia and walking ability were also assessed.
Design : Hemiplegic subjects’ gait and the amount of support they took from
the aid were measured as they walked with a normal height stick, a high
stick and a tripod.
Subjects : Fifteen subjects with a hemiplegia of more than three months’
duration who could walk independently were recruited.
Outcome measures : Velocity, the gross function section of the Rivermead
Motor Assessment, percentage bodyweight taken through the aid, the aid
contact time, the placement of the aid, and the lateral shift of the pelvis
when weight bearing were assessed.
Results : No differences in the amount of support or walking ability were
found with the different aids. There was a significant relationship between
severity of hemiplegia and the percentage of bodyweight taken through the
aid (r = –0.67), between aid contact time and severity of hemiplegia (–0.53)
and between aid contact time and walking ability (–0.53). No relationship
between walking ability and other measures of the amount of support was
found.
Conclusions : Different types of aid did not influence the amount of support
taken by hemiplegic subjects. These results contradict the beliefs of many
neurological physiotherapists in Britain and the clinical implications are
discussed.

Citation

hemiplegic gait. Clinical Rehabilitation, 12, 395-401

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 1998
• Deposit Date: Mar 23, 2010
• Journal: Clinical Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 0269-2155
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Pages: 395-401