Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Gait Parameters (gait + parameter)
Selected AbstractsWalking on an Uneven Surface: The Effect of Common Peroneal Stimulation on Gait Parameters and Relationship Between Perceived and Measured Benefits in a Sample of Participants With a Drop-FootNEUROMODULATION, Issue 1 2007Jane H. Burridge PhD ABSTRACT Objectives., To examine the effect of using a common peroneal stimulator on an even and an uneven surface, and to compare measures with perceived response to stimulation. Method., Participants had a drop-foot caused by a stroke (N = 13) or multiple sclerosis (N = 7) and had used a common peroneal stimulator for > 3 months prior to the study. Walking speed and physiological cost index (PCI) were recorded under four conditions: with and without stimulation over an even and an uneven surface. Participants also completed a questionnaire. Results., A statistically significant increase in walking speed and decrease in PCI was identified when the stimulator was used. There was a trend to greater improvement on the uneven compared to the even surface. A correlation between perceived benefit of stimulation and a measured decrease in PCI was detected. Conclusion., Stimulation may be particularly beneficial for the more difficult task of walking on an uneven surface. Perceived benefit was related to a reduction in effort of walking, not in increased speed. [source] Lower extremity walking mechanics of young individuals with asymptomatic varus knee alignmentJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Joaquin A. Barrios Abstract Varus knee alignment is associated with an increased risk for developing medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). Medial knee OA is commonly associated with altered walking mechanics in the frontal and sagittal planes, as well as altered ground reaction forces. It is unknown whether these mechanics are present in young, asymptomatic individuals with varus knees. We expected that varus-aligned individuals would generally present with frontal plane mechanics that were similar to those reported for individuals with medial knee OA. The gait mechanics of 17 asymptomatic individuals with varus knees and 17 healthy, normally aligned controls were recorded. Gait parameters associated with medial knee OA were compared between groups. The individuals with varus knees exhibited greater knee external adduction moments, knee adduction, eversion, and lateral ground reaction force than the normally aligned individuals. In addition, those with varus knees also demonstrated increased knee flexion and external knee flexor moments during midstance. These results suggest that individuals with varus knees exhibit some, but not all, of the altered mechanics seen in medial knee OA. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1414,1419, 2009 [source] Gait disturbances in patients with schizophrenia and adaptation to treadmill walkingPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 3 2005ALBERT PUTZHAMMER md Abstract, This study evaluated the gait patterns of schizophrenic patients at free gait and at three fixed velocities on a treadmill. The effects of illness and antipsychotic treatment on gait parameters and on adaptation to treadmill walking were compared. Gait parameters of 14 drug-naïve schizophrenic patients, 14 patients treated with conventional antipsychotics, 14 patients treated with olanzapine, as well as 14 matched controls were assessed on a walkway and on a treadmill at three different velocities (very slow, intermediately slow, and comfortable) using an ultrasonic movement analysis system. At free gait, all patients showed a significantly decreased gait velocity, predominantly due to a shorter stride length, when compared to the controls, with the most striking difference observed between the patients treated with conventional neuroleptics and the controls (anova, P , 0.001). Cadence (steps per second) did not differ between the investigated groups. When gait was evaluated on the treadmill, differences in stride length and cadence were significant only at the very slow treadmill velocity (anova, P , 0.05). In all patient groups, mean stride length was decreased and cadence compensationally increased. Significant differences between the patient groups were no longer detectable. With increasing treadmill velocities, gait parameters of all patient groups normalized. The results show that, like in patients with Parkinson's Disease, impaired gait parameters can also be normalized in schizophrenic patients by external stimulation via treadmill walking. [source] Exploring effects of different treadmill interventions on walking onset and gait patterns in infants with Down syndromeDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2007Jianhua Wu PhD Two cohorts of participants were included to investigate the effects of different treadmill interventions on walking onset and gait patterns in infants with Down syndrome (DS). The first cohort included 30 infants with DS (17 males, 13 females; mean age 10mo [SD 1.9mo]) who were randomly assigned to either a lower-intensity-generalized (LG) training group, or a higher-intensity-individualized (HI) training group. A control (C) group from another study, who did not receive treadmill training, served as the control (eight males, seven females; mean age 10.4mo [SD 2.2mo]). Mean age at walking onset was 19.2, 21.4, and 23.9 months for the HI, LG, and C groups respectively. At walking onset the HI group was significantly younger than the C group (p=0.011). At the gait follow-up that was conducted between 1 and 3 months after walking onset, three groups significantly different in overall gait patterns (p=0.037) were examined by six basic gait parameters including average velocity, stride length, step width, stride time, stance time, and dynamic base. Post-hoc analyses demonstrated that stride length was the gait parameter largely contributing to this overall group difference (p=0.033), and the HI group produced a significantly longer stride length than the C group (p=0.030). In conclusion, the HI treadmill intervention significantly promoted earlier walking onset and elicited more advanced gait patterns (particularly in stride length) in infants with DS. [source] Results of treatment when orthopaedic surgeons follow gait-analysis recommendations in children with CPDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 7 2008Bjørn Lofterød MD The aim of the present study was to assess the outcome of orthopaedic surgery in ambulant children with cerebral palsy, when the orthopaedic surgeons followed the recommendations from preoperative three-dimensional gait analysis. 55 children, mean age 10y 11mo, were clinically evaluated by orthopaedic surgeons who proposed a surgical treatment plan. After gait analysis and subsequent surgery, three groups were defined. In group A, there was agreement between clinical proposals, gait-analysis recommendations, and subsequent surgery in 128 specific surgical procedures. In group B, 54 procedures were performed based on gait analysis, although these procedures had not been proposed at the clinical examination. In group C, 55 surgical procedures that had been proposed after clinical evaluation were not performed because of the gait-analysis recommendations. The children underwent follow-up gait analysis 1 to 2 years after the initial analysis. The kinematic results were satisfactory, with improvement in most of the gait parameters in children who had undergone surgery and no significant deterioration in those who were not operated. In group A, there were significant improvements in maximum hip extension in stance, minimum knee flexion in stance, timing of maximum knee flexion in swing and knee range of motion, maximum ankle dorsiflexion in stance, and mean femur rotation in stance. In group B, there were significant improvements in maximum hip extension in stance, minimum knee flexion in stance, and knee range of motion. We conclude that gait analysis was useful in confirming clinical indications for surgery, in defining indications for surgery that had not been clinically proposed, and for excluding or delaying surgery that was clinically proposed. [source] Exploring effects of different treadmill interventions on walking onset and gait patterns in infants with Down syndromeDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2007Jianhua Wu PhD Two cohorts of participants were included to investigate the effects of different treadmill interventions on walking onset and gait patterns in infants with Down syndrome (DS). The first cohort included 30 infants with DS (17 males, 13 females; mean age 10mo [SD 1.9mo]) who were randomly assigned to either a lower-intensity-generalized (LG) training group, or a higher-intensity-individualized (HI) training group. A control (C) group from another study, who did not receive treadmill training, served as the control (eight males, seven females; mean age 10.4mo [SD 2.2mo]). Mean age at walking onset was 19.2, 21.4, and 23.9 months for the HI, LG, and C groups respectively. At walking onset the HI group was significantly younger than the C group (p=0.011). At the gait follow-up that was conducted between 1 and 3 months after walking onset, three groups significantly different in overall gait patterns (p=0.037) were examined by six basic gait parameters including average velocity, stride length, step width, stride time, stance time, and dynamic base. Post-hoc analyses demonstrated that stride length was the gait parameter largely contributing to this overall group difference (p=0.033), and the HI group produced a significantly longer stride length than the C group (p=0.030). In conclusion, the HI treadmill intervention significantly promoted earlier walking onset and elicited more advanced gait patterns (particularly in stride length) in infants with DS. [source] Functional gait comparison between children with myelomeningocele: shunt versus no shuntDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 10 2007Simone Battibugli MD The aim of this study was to compare functional gait differences between patients with myelomeningocele (MM) who have a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) with those who do not. Our analyses were adjusted for confounding by age, lesion level, orthotic use, and assistive device use. The Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) was used to compare the shunted group (n=98; 60 males, 38 females; mean age 10y 2mo [SD 3y 11mo]; 73 sacral/19 low lumber/six high lumbar lesion level) with the non-shunted group (n=63; 32 males, 31 females; mean age 9y 11mo [SD 3y 11mo]; 45 sacral/12 low lumber/six high lumbar lesion level). Participants with a shunt had lower FMS 500 and FMS 50 scores compared with participants without a shunt; hence the participants without a shunt were more independent in their ambulation at medium and longer distances. For a subset of participants who underwent a three-dimensional gait analysis, we also collected temporal,spatial gait parameters (velocity, cadence, and stride length). Our results show that participants with MM and no shunt who underwent gait analysis(11 males, 10 females; mean age 9y 6mo [SD 4y]; 15 sacral/6 low lumber/0 high lumbar lesion level) tend to walk at a significantly greater velocity and stride length as compared with those with a shunt (33 males, 18 females; mean age 10y [SD 4y]; 38 sacral/13 low lumber/zero high lumbar lesion level). These data allow the treatment team to present more specific information regarding functional ambulatory expectations to patients with MM and their families. [source] Gait characteristics of diabetic patients: a systematic reviewDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 3 2008L. Allet Abstract Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of experiencing fall-related injuries when walking than healthy controls. The underlying mechanism responsible for this is not yet clear. Thus we intend to summarize diabetic patients' gait characteristics and emphasize those which could be the possible underlying mechanisms for increased fall risk. This systematic review aims, in particular, to: (1) evaluate the quality of existing studies which investigate the gait characteristics of diabetic patients, (2) highlight areas of agreement and contradiction in study results, (3) discuss and emphasize parameters associated with fall risk, and (4) propose new orientations and further domains for research needed for their fall risk prevention. We conducted an electronic search of Pedro, PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane. Two authors independently assessed all abstracts. Quality of the selected articles was scored, and the study results summarized and discussed. We considered 236 abstracts of which 28 entered our full text review. Agreement on data quality between two reviewers was high (kappa: 0.90). Authors investigating gait parameters in a diabetic population evaluated in particular parameters either associated with fall risk (speed, step length or step-time variability) or with ulcers (pressure). There is agreement that diabetic patients walk slower, with greater step variability, and present higher plantar pressure than healthy controls. We concluded that diabetic patients present gait abnormalities, some of which can lead to heightened fall risk. To understand its' underlying mechanisms, and to promote efficient prevention, further studies should analyse gait under ,real-life' conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparison of biomechanical gait parameters of young children with haemophilia and those of age-matched peersHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 2 2009D. STEPHENSEN Summary., Quality of life for children with haemophilia has improved since the introduction of prophylaxis. The frequency of joint haemorrhages has reduced, but the consequences of reduced bleeding on the biomechanical parameters of walking are not well understood. This study explored the differences in sagittal plane biomechanics of walking between a control group (Group 1) of normal age-matched children and children with haemophilia (Group 2) with a target ankle joint. A motion capture system and two force platforms were used to collect sagittal plane kinematic, kinetic and temporal,spatial data during walking of 14 age-matched normal children and 14 children with haemophilia aged 7,13 years. Group differences in maximum and minimum flexion/extension angles and moments of the hip, knee and ankle joints, ground reaction forces and temporal,spatial gait cycle parameters were analysed using one-way anova. Significant changes (P < 0.05) in kinematic and kinetic parameters but not temporal,spatial parameters were found in children with haemophilia; greater flexion angles and external moments of force at the knee, greater ankle plantarflexion external moments and lower hip flexion external moments. These results suggest that early biomechanical changes are present in young haemophilic children with a history of a target ankle joint and imply that lower limb joint function is more impaired than current clinical evaluations indicate. Protocols and quantitative data on the biomechanical gait pattern of children with haemophilia reported in this study provide a baseline to evaluate lower limb joint function and clinical progression. [source] Effect of external cueing on gait in Huntington's diseaseMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 10 2008Arnaud Delval MD Abstract In Huntington's disease (HD) patients, gait is characterized by a timing disorder with marked intraindividual variability in temporal gait parameters (caused by the presence of both hyperkinetic and hypokinetic features). We sought to determine the influence of use of a metronome on gait parameters in patients simultaneously performing motor or cognitive tasks that required attentional resources. The objective is to evaluate the influence of rhythmic cues on gait interference during self-regulated walking and a dual task paradigm in HD. Fifteen HD patients and 15 paired controls were asked to walk and simultaneously perform another motor task (carrying a tray with four full glasses) or a cognitive task (counting backwards). We evaluated the effect of a metronome (set at 100% and 120% of the subject's self-determined cadence) in three different task conditions (gait alone, gait + motor task, gait + cognitive task). The use of auditory cues during free gait and dual tasks did not improve kinematic parameters in HD patients, in contrast to the situation for control subjects (improvement in gait speed and cadence but not stride length when the metronome was set at 120% in all conditions). HD patients have difficulty in synchronizing their footsteps with a metronome, mainly due to attentional deficits. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society [source] Feasibility of Gait Event Detection Using Intramuscular Electromyography in the Child with Cerebral PalsyNEUROMODULATION, Issue 3 2004Richard T. Lauer PhD Abstract The objective of this study was to develop and test the feasibility of a model that employs electromyographic (EMG) signals to predict the occurrence of gait events in the child with cerebral palsy (CP). This model could be the basis of a future functional electrical stimulation (FES) control system to assist gait. Two children were implanted with bifilar intramuscular electrodes into the quadriceps muscle bilaterally. Muscle activity and gait parameters were recorded, and a fuzzy inference system was used to correlate EMG to five distinct gait events. For nine of the 10 gait events evaluated, the model predicted gait events to within 82 ms on average, as referenced to the VICON motion analysis system. For eight of the 10 events, prediction errors were 0.3% or less. Results indicate that EMG from the proximal musculature could be used to predict the occurrence of gait events in these two children with CP. [source] The effect on energy expenditure of walking on gradients or carrying burdensAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Patricia Ann Kramer The effectiveness of people walking while carrying burdens and/or on gradients has been of interest to anthropologists for some time. No empirical equation exists, however, to assess the energetic expenditure of individuals traveling downhill with burdens and whether or not all people increase their energetic expenditure over unburdened level travel when carrying relatively light burdens (<20% of body mass) remains unclear. To begin to rectify this lacunae, gait parameters, physiological variables, and the energetic expenditure of 11 adults were assessed as they walked with burdens of 5 and 10 kg on a level treadmill and while they walked unburdened on gradients ±8 and ±16%. These data were then compared to predictive equations and data available from the literature. Velocity and body mass were combined with gradient and burden mass, where appropriate, as independent covariates to create predictive equations, which explained >80% of the variation in energetic expenditure. These new equations are appropriate for predicting energetic expenditure in people carrying burdens of <20% of total body mass or walking up and downhill at gradients of <20%. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The influence of age on gait parameters during the transition from a wide to a narrow pathwayPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2008Nataliya Shkuratova Abstract Background and Purpose.,The ability to negotiate pathways of different widths is a prerequisite of daily living. However, only a few studies have investigated changes in gait parameters in response to walking on narrow pathways. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of age on gait adjustments during the transition from a wide to a narrow pathway.,Method.,DESIGN: Two-group repeated measures design. SETTING: Gait Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty healthy older participants (mean [M] = 74.3 years, Standard deviation [SD] = 7.2 years); 20 healthy young participants (M = 26.6 years, SD = 6.1 years).,Interventions.,Making the transition from walking on a wide pathway (68,cm) to walking on a narrow pathway (15,cm). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Step length, step time, step width, double support time and base of support. Results.,Healthy older participants were able to make the transition from a wide to a narrow pathway successfully. There was only one significant interaction, between age and base of support (p < 0.003). Older adults decreased their base of support only when negotiating the transition step, while young participants started decreasing their base of support prior to the negotiation of transition step (p < 0.01). Conclusion.,Adjustments to the transition from a wide to a narrow pathway are largely unaffected by normal ageing. Difficulties in making the transition to a narrow pathway during walking should not be attributed to normal age-related changes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Age- and gender-related changes in the temporal-spatial characteristics of forwards and backwards gaitsPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2003Dr Yocheved Laufer Head Abstract Background and Purpose Backward walking is used increasingly as a rehabilitation technique for individuals with neurological and orthopaedic impairments. The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in the temporal-spatial characteristics of gait resulting from walking backwards as opposed to forwards, and to determine age and gender effects on these changes. Method Thirty young and 40 aged, independently functioning, subjects were asked to walk forwards and backwards across a computer-based walkway system, providing data on gait velocity, stride length, cadence, swing phase and double support phase. Subjects were divided into groups based on age (young and old) and gender, and each subject was tested under two walking conditions (forwards and backwards). Five temporal-spatial gait parameters were evaluated separately as a function of the three independent variables, with the walking condition repeated for each subject. Results Backwards ambulation is characterized by a slower velocity, shorter stride length and an increased double support phase in both young and older adults. These changes were significantly greater in the older subjects, among whom the swing phase was also decreased. Cadence, however, was not affected by direction of ambulation in either group. The female subjects had a shorter stride length in both movement directions, associated with reduced speed only in backwards ambulation. Conclusions Older individuals are capable of walking backwards for short distances. However, changes in gait characteristics typical to the reversal of movement direction are accentuated with age. These effects must be considered when planning to use backwards ambulation as a rehabilitation technique for older individuals. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Outcomes after trans-tibial amputation: the relationship between quiet stance ability, strength of hip abductor muscles and gaitPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2002Heidi Nadollek Abstract Background and Purpose Previous research regarding the symmetry of trans-tibial amputees has examined weight distribution and various gait parameters between prosthetic and sound limbs. However, to date, no known research has determined if asymmetry is present in the strength of the hip abductor muscles or if correlations exist between these categories of symmetry. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to document asymmetry present in stance, strength and gait measures, and to determine the relationship between these variables. Method Twenty-three elderly, unilateral trans-tibial amputees stood on two adjacent forceplates whilst the weight distribution and standard deviation (SD) of the anterior-posterior and the medio-lateral centre of pressure excursion (COPE) under each limb was recorded during four 40 s trials: quiet stance (QS), with eyes open and eyes closed; and even stance (ES), with eyes open and eyes closed. Gait measures (velocity, cadence, step and stride lengths, stance:swing ratio and period of double support) over 10 m of fast, yet safe walking and measures of the strength of hip abductor muscles were also obtained by use of a stride analyser and a dynamometer, respectively. Results No significant differences were found between QS and ES measures. However, significantly more weight was taken on the sound limb than on the amputated limb. Notably, more anterior-posterior movement occurred under the sound limb than the amputated limb, with this becoming more apparent with the eyes closed. Movement in the medio-lateral direction was found to be the same between sides. No differences in muscle strength or gait measures between limbs were demonstrated. However. strong hip abductor muscles were correlated with increased weight-bearing on the amputated limb, improved gait parameters and reduced medio-lateral COPE under the amputated limb. Conclusions This research confirms the asymmetrical nature of amputee stance and demonstrates symmetry of strength and gait measures between limbs. The correlations between hip abductor muscle strength, weight distribution and gait measures illustrates the importance of pre- and postoperative training of these muscles. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Gait disturbances in patients with schizophrenia and adaptation to treadmill walkingPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 3 2005ALBERT PUTZHAMMER md Abstract, This study evaluated the gait patterns of schizophrenic patients at free gait and at three fixed velocities on a treadmill. The effects of illness and antipsychotic treatment on gait parameters and on adaptation to treadmill walking were compared. Gait parameters of 14 drug-naïve schizophrenic patients, 14 patients treated with conventional antipsychotics, 14 patients treated with olanzapine, as well as 14 matched controls were assessed on a walkway and on a treadmill at three different velocities (very slow, intermediately slow, and comfortable) using an ultrasonic movement analysis system. At free gait, all patients showed a significantly decreased gait velocity, predominantly due to a shorter stride length, when compared to the controls, with the most striking difference observed between the patients treated with conventional neuroleptics and the controls (anova, P , 0.001). Cadence (steps per second) did not differ between the investigated groups. When gait was evaluated on the treadmill, differences in stride length and cadence were significant only at the very slow treadmill velocity (anova, P , 0.05). In all patient groups, mean stride length was decreased and cadence compensationally increased. Significant differences between the patient groups were no longer detectable. With increasing treadmill velocities, gait parameters of all patient groups normalized. The results show that, like in patients with Parkinson's Disease, impaired gait parameters can also be normalized in schizophrenic patients by external stimulation via treadmill walking. [source] Functional analysis of the gibbon foot during terrestrial bipedal walking: Plantar pressure distributions and three-dimensional ground reaction forcesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Evie Vereecke Abstract This paper gives a detailed analysis of bipedal walking in the white-handed gibbon, based on collected pressure and force data. These data were obtained from four gibbons in the Wild Animal Park, Planckendael, Belgium, by using a walkway with integrated force plate and pressure mat. This is the first study that collects and describes dynamic plantar pressure data of bipedally walking gibbons, and combines these with force plate data. The combination of these data with previously described roll-off patterns of gibbons, based on general observations, video images, force plates, and EMG data, gives us a detailed description of foot function during gibbon bipedalism. In addition, we compare the observed characteristics of hylobatid bipedalism with the main characteristics of bonobo and human bipedalism. We found that gibbons are midfoot/heel plantigrade, and lack the typical heel-strike of other hominoids. The hallux is widely abducted and touches down at the onset of the stance phase, which results in an L-shaped course of the center of pressure. The vertical force curve is trapezoid to triangular in shape, with high peak values compared to humans. The braking component is shorter than the accelerating component, and shortens further at higher walking velocities. Speed has a significant influence on the forefoot peak pressures and on most of the defined gait parameters (e.g., vertical force peak), and it alters the foot contact pattern as well. The investigation of existing form-function relationships in nonhuman primates is essential for the interpretation of fossil remains, and might help us understand the evolution of habitual bipedal walking in hominids. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||