Analysis of kinematic gait parameters in chronic stroke survivors

Abstract

This paper presents the gait pattern classification between stroke survivors and normal subjects. This present investigation is competent to reveal the characteristics of postural control, gait pattern among stroke survivors. These findings also are capable in giving the effective guidelines for developing appropriate strategies for safe standing and walking to reduce fall incidence. Furthermore, this results also can be used to monitor stroke patients, in the aspects of theirs rehabilitation progress from time to time. 18 subjects has been recruited (nine stroke subjects and nine normal subjects) with range of age between 40 to 65 years old. Additionally, all subjects must be able to walk freely without any cane or mechanical aid during walking. In this study, Vicon® Nexus Plug-in-Gait is used to compute the kinematic gait parameters. Movements in anatomical planes is used as a reference during walking. This paper focus on the sagittal plane only. From the results, it is found that there is a significant difference in the maximum angle of knee between stroke and normal subjects. As a conclusion, the significant value which is 0.003 only can be observed from the maximum knee angle between both groups. The results of this study may be varies due to several aspects such as physical body structure and also age.