Article

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the differences in gait characteristics and gait symmetry
of post-polio syndrome (PPS) patients ambulating with or without shoes and
between subgroups walking with different walking aids and orthoses, study the
correlation of these data with personal data, illness condition, physical health,
frequency of using aids and orthotics and frequency of falls, and derive
recommendations for standardization of reporting these data. METHOD: Twenty-six
PPS subjects ambulated with their own walking devices. We calculated
spatio-temporal parameters and symmetry indices (SI) of gait using a data
acquired by a motion capture system. We compared inter-subject differences in
gait pattern for PPS groups that differed by questionnaire-obtained data of
demographics, physical activity, polio history, falls and walking aids.
Additional inter-subject comparisons were performed between normal subjects
(n=16), PPS patients walking with shoes with/without an ankle-foot-orthosis
(n=11), PPS patients walking with knee-ankle-foot-orthosis (n=5), and PPS
patients walking with a walker/crutches (n=10). We also compared intra-subject
variability in PPS subjects who were able to repeat the trials barefoot. RESULTS:
Our main results show that subjects who reported participating in physical
activity twice a week or more had significantly better step time and double
support symmetry. Subjects who use walking aids on a daily basis had
significantly higher gait cadence and shorter stride time. Also, subjects that do
not require knee-ankle-foot orthoses and/or walking aids walked with a smaller
base width and better symmetry in stance and swing durations than PPS subjects
who require these aids. CONCLUSIONS: The gait pattern of PPS patients is related
to numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Standardization of the reporting
protocol of gait-related data of PPS patients is crucial for patient evaluation
and treatment design.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS