Effect of an arm sling on gait pattern in patients with hemiplegia.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of an arm sling on gait patterns of patients with hemiplegia. Crossover design of 3-dimensional gait analysis and concomitant video recordings performed during a single session. Rehabilitation ward gait laboratory of a university hospital. Thirty-one patients (20 men, 11 women) with hemiplegia with an average age of 53.1+/-9.7 years and 31 age-, sex-, height-, and weight-matched able-bodied persons. All patients with hemiplegia and able-bodied controls walked at self-selected speed over a 10-m walkway, either with or without an arm sling. Time-distance, kinematic, and kinetic parameters of gait. The able-bodied group did not show any difference in gait parameters while using the sling. However, in patients with hemiplegia wearing a sling, walking speed and stance period of the paretic side increased, double support time of the paretic side decreased, excursion of the center of gravity (COG) decreased, and weight bearing of the paretic side increased. An arm sling improved gait, especially during gait training sessions of patients with hemiplegia who have impaired body image and excessive motion of the COG.