This study was intended to implement ankle joint dorsi flexion training against ankle muscule strength weakening that erodes stroke patients’ gait performance to examine the effect of the training on stroke patients’ plantar pressure and gait abil...
This study was intended to implement ankle joint dorsi flexion training against ankle muscule strength weakening that erodes stroke patients’ gait performance to examine the effect of the training on stroke patients’ plantar pressure and gait ability. Ankle joint dorsi flexion training was conducted in two different groups called ankle dorsi flexion training group(ADFTG) and static muscle stretching training group(SMSTG).
In this study, 36 stroke patients diagnosed with stroke due to cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage were divided into 12 in a group to receive ADFTG in addition to existing physical therapy, 12 in a group to receive SMSTG in addition to existing physical therapy and 12 in a control group(CG) to receive only existing physical therapy. The training SMSTG was implemented four times a week for 20 minutes at a time for 6 weeks and the training ADFTG was implemented four times a week, two sets per time in the case of females and three sets per time in the case of males for 6 weeks to measure 10MWS and TUG which are stroke patients’ gait variables and plantar contact areas, COP moving distances and maximum plantar pressure by area of the sole by collecting data using an F-scan system during gait and an F-mat system during standing. All subjects were assessed with the same measurements at a pre-study examination and reassessment at eight weeks. Data were analyzed statistically using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA
The results of the measurement analysis were summarized as follows :
1. In comparison of average 10MWS between before and after the training by group, the values significantly decreased in all of the CG, the SMSTG and the ADFTG(p<.05). In comparison of gait speeds among 3 groups, there was no statistically significant difference(p>.05).
2. In comparison of average TUG between before and after the training by group there was no significant difference in the CG(p>.05), while the values significantly decreased in the SMSTG and the ADFTG(p<.05). In comparison of gait speeds among 3 groups, there was no statistically significant difference(p>.05).
3. In comparison of the average contact area of the affected foot between before and after the training by group, during gait and standing there was no significant difference in the CG(p>.05), while the values significantly increased in the SMSTG and the ankle muscule strength reinforcing training group(p<.05). In comparison of the average contact area of the affected foot among 3 groups, there was no statistically significant difference either during gait or during standing(p>.05).
4. In comparison of the average moving distance before and after COP during gait between before and after the training by group, the values significantly increased in all the CG, the SMSTG and the ADFTG(p<.05). In comparison of COP moving distances among 3 groups, there was no statistically significant difference(p>.05).
5. In comparison of maximum plantar pressure by area during gait between before and after the training by group, in the great toe, the toe and the first metatasal areas, there was no significant difference in the CG and the SMSTG(p>.05), while the value significantly increased in the ADFTG(p<.05). In the second and third metatasal areas, there was no significant difference in the CG(p>.05), while the value significantly increased in the SMSTG and the ADFTG(p<.05). In the fourth and fifth metatarsal, mid foot and hind foot areas, the value significantly increased in all of the CG, the SMSTG and the ADFTG(p<.05). In comparison of maximum plantar pressure by area during gait among 3 groups, there was no statistically significant difference in any of the areas(p>.05).
6. In comparison of maximum plantar pressure by area during standing between before and after the training by group, in the fore foot area, there was no significant difference in the CG(p>.05), while the value significantly increased in the SMSTG and the ADFTG(p<.05). In the mid foot and hind foot areas, the value significantly increased in all of the CG, the SMSTG and the ADFTG(p<.05). In comparison of maximum plantar pressure by area during standing among 3 groups, there was no statistically significant difference in any of the areas(p>.05).
Given these results of the study, it can be seen that the ankle joint dorsi flexion training implemented in addition to existing physical therapy increased stability during gait by increasing the contact area of the affected foot, increased COP moving distances during gait and increased maximum plantar pressure in the fourth & fifth metatasal, the mid foot and the hind foot areas to bring about the improvement of plantar pressure forms in the affected foot in the SMSTG and the ADFTG. Compared to other training groups, the ankle muscule strength reinforcing training group showed statistically significant increases of maximum plantar pressure in the great toe, the toe and the first metatasal areas too and thus it can be said that this training increases forward thrust during stroke patients’ foot end taking off and positively affects stroke patients’ ability to perform gait.