Tatsuki Yamada, RPT, MS, Mizuho Ohta, RPT, Makoto Tamari, RPT, PhD
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 12: 64-69, 2021
Objective: This study examined the effect of ankle
plantar flexor spasticity on the walking speed of
hemiplegic stroke patients immediately following
maximum walking speed exercises.
Methods: A total of 23 hemiplegic stroke patients were
divided into two groups based on the presence (n=13)
or absence (n=10) of ankle plantar flexor spasticity on
the paralyzed side. Gait speed, propulsive force during
pre-swing, paretic side ankle plantar flexion movement
during pre-swing, paretic side ankle dorsiflexion angle
during the stance phase, angular velocity of paretic side
dorsiflexion during the stance phase, paretic side trailing
limb angle in the terminal stance, paretic side plantar
flexion angle in the terminal stance, and the timing of
maximum dorsiflexion of the ankle joint on the paretic
side were measured before and after the maximum
walking speed exercises, using a three-dimensional
motion analyzer.
Results: In the spasticity group, no significant
improvement was observed in any of the categories. In
contrast, in the non-spasticity group, significant
improvement was observed in all categories, except
for the paretic side ankle dorsiflexion angle.
Conclusion: This study showed that maximum walking
speed exercises immediately improved walking speed in
hemiplegic stroke patients without ankle plantar flexor
spasticity.
Key words: maximum walking speed exercises, spasticity