Immediate effects of therapeutic facilitation on the gait of hemiparetic patients as compared with walking with and without a cane.

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Hesse, Stefan Jahnke, Margaret Schaffrin, A. Lucke, Dorothea Reiter, Florence Konrad, Matthias
Copyright Year	1998
Abstract	OBJECTIVES Although the neurodevelopmental technique (Bobath) is the most widely used approach in the gait rehabilitation of hemiparetic subjects in Europe, there is little neurophysiological evidence for its presumed effects on gait symmetry and facilitation of paretic muscles during the therapeutic intervention. The study, therefore, investigated the immediate effects of gait entrainment by a physical therapist on the gait of hemiparetic subjects. METHODS Cycle parameters, gait symmetry, hip joint movement and the electromyographic activity of several lower limb muscles were assessed in 22 patients during a classic intervention by five Bobath therapists and while walking with and without a cane. RESULTS Multivariate statistics revealed that, while being assisted by the therapist, patients walked faster (P = 0.022), with a longer relative stance period of the affected leg (P = 0.005), a higher symmetry (P = 0.002), larger hip extension (P = 0.001) and more activation (P = 0.026) of the Mm. triceps surae, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus medius as compared to walking with and without a cane. Extensor spasticity of the plantar-flexor tended to increase (n.s.). In five subjects, no after-effect could be documented 1 h after a gait training of 30 min. CONCLUSIONS The study confirmed a more balanced walking pattern in conjunction with facilitation of various weight bearing muscles during the therapeutic intervention. A prolonged single stance period of the affected leg, an unobstructed hip movement, enhanced weight acceptance and a faster gait seemed to be responsible for the observed immediate effects of the therapeutic intervention.
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Alternate Webpage(s)	https://www.safetylit.org/citations/ild_request_form.php?article_id=citjournalarticle_298949_38
PubMed reference number	10030684v1
Volume Number	109
Issue Number	6
Journal	Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Biceps brachii muscle structure Biceps femoris muscle structure CANE, INCLUDES CANES OF ALL MATERIALS, ADJUSTABLE OR FIXED, WITH TIP Document completion status - Documented Gluteal muscle Hip Joint Large Muscle Spasticity Patients Plantar - anatomical location Plantar wart Structure of gluteus medius muscle Structure of vastus lateralis muscle Triceps brachii muscle structure Triceps surae muscle structure Weight-Bearing state facilitation
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article