Correlation analysis between gait function and three dimension kinematic and kinetic parameters of lower limb in stroke patients

Objective: To analyze the correlation between gait function and three dimension(3D) kinematic and kinetic parameters of lower limb in stroke patients and explore the cause and kinetic characteristics of hemiparetic gait, and to find the key points of the intervention in rehabilitation therapy. Method: Twenty patients after first stroke with right hemiparesis were recruited. These patients were accorded with the criteria that the subjects can walk 10m independently. Sixteen healthy elder subjects were selected as control group. Vicon system with force plate was used in gait, 3D kinematic and kinetic analysis. Result: Compared to the control group, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in spatiotemporal (cadence, stride time, double support time, step time, opposite foot off, step length, stride length and walking speed) and kinematic parameters (hip extension, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexon) of affected lower limb of stroke patients. For kinetic parameters, compared with control group there were significant differences of hip and knee joint extension time of unaffected side, ankle joint dorsiflexion time of affected side(P<0.05). There were significant correlation between the gait function and the stride length, lower limb kinematic and kinetic data (P<0.05) Conclusion: (1) Stride length is an important reference to evaluate the gait changes in patients after stroke. (2)Hip and knee joint extension, ankle joint dorsiflexion and plantarextension are the substantial expressions in hemiparatic gait. (3)The muscles' strength of hip joint, knee joint and dorxiflexion of ankle joint are the key factors impacting the gait functions in stroke patients.