Analyses of weight-bearing asymmetry pattern for standing in the early phase after stroke: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background

How the weight-bearing asymmetry pattern and related maximum lateral weight-bearing capacity, physical functions, balance, and mobility involved in weight-bearing asymmetry and lesions are related to weight-bearing asymmetry in patients with early-onset stroke remains unclear.

Objective

To investigate the difference between weight-bearing in the early phase after stroke categorized as symmetrical or nonsymmetrical regarding impairments, balance, walking, and independence, and any lesion location difference.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 46 persons with hemiparetic stroke within 3 weeks from onset undergoing inpatient rehabilitation and classified into symmetrical, paretic, and non-paretic groups. We performed posturographic, functional, mobility, and lesion location assessments on participants once the evaluation was possible.

Results

The symmetrical, paretic, and non-paretic groups included 14, 11, and 21 patients, respectively. The non-paretic group had lesser mean % body weight in maximum lateral weight-bearing to the paretic direction (79% versus 55%, p < .001), motor function of the hip lower limb (64 versus 58, p = .003) per the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set, Trunk Impairment Scale (18 versus 15, p = .020), and Berg Balance Scale (42 versus 32, p = .047) than the paretic group with more lesions in the insula (55% versus 0%, p < .001) and parietal cortex (36% versus 0%, p = .009) than the non-paretic group.

Conclusion

The non-paretic group had low dynamic balance, severe motor paresis, and trunk dysfunction. The paretic group had lesions in the insula or parietal cortex.

KEYWORDS:

• Stroke
• early phase
• weight-bearing asymmetry
• standing
• balance

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all study participants, as well as our physical therapist for helping with participant assessment. This study was supported by funding for the Hidaka Project (approval number: 30-D-1-16 and 2-D-1-08) of the Saitama Medical University International Medical Center.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Hidaka Project [30-D-1-16 and 2-D-1-08].