Title of article :
Lower limb motor function and hip muscle weakness in stroke survivors and their relationship with pelvic tilt, weight-bearing asymmetry, and gait speed: A cross-sectional study
Author/Authors :
Karthikbabu, Suruliraj Department of Physiotherapy - Manipal College of Health Professions - Manipal Academy of Higher Education - Manipal Hospital - Bangalore, India , Darak, Vishakha Department of Physiotherapy - Manipal College of Health Professions - Manipal Academy of Higher Education - Manipal Hospital - Bangalore, India
Abstract :
Poor motor recovery of hip muscles
affect the walking post-stroke. The study objective
was to examine how lower extremity motor function
and hip muscle weakness are related to weightbearing
asymmetry (WBA), excessive pelvic tilt, and
gait speed in stroke survivors.
Methods: Eighty patients with chronic stroke, a
mean and standard deviation (SD) of post-stroke
duration of 350 ± 664 days, age of 30-70 years,
independent standing, and 10-meter walking
capacity participated in the study. Hip muscular
strength was measured using a handheld
dynamometer (HHD) and motor function was
assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment of lower
extremity (FMA-LE). The WBA was recorded using two
weighing scales; whereas the pelvic tilt and gait
speed were evaluated using palpation meter (PALM)
and 10-meter walk test, respectively.
Results: The muscles strength of hip flexors,
extensors, abductors, and adductors of the paretic
side ranged between 22.0 and 24.4 pounds. The
mean score of FMA-LE was 22 points. Following
Pearson product-moment correlation with
statistically significant P < 0.05, the relationship of hip
muscles strength and FMA with WBA, lateral pelvic
tilt (LPT) and anterior pelvic tilt (APT), and speed are
as follows: flexors (r = 0.47, r = 0.31, r = 0.44, r = 0.44),
extensors (r = 0.45, r = 0.38, r = 0.37, r = 0.35),
abductors (r = 0.49, r = 0.32, r = 0.38, r= 0.40),
adductors (r = 0.45, r = 0.31, r = 0.23, r = 0.34), and
motor function (r = 0.62, r = 0.33, r = 0.38, r = 0.62).
Conclusion: Motor performance of the paretic lower
limb was highly correlated with WBA and gait speed
in stroke survivors. Overall hip muscle strength of
paretic side had a moderate correlation with WBA,
excessive pelvic tilt, and gait speed
Keywords :
Stroke , Gait Speed , Muscle Strength Pelvis , Motor Performance