POST STROKE GAIT EVALUATION AND REHABILITATION. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND GAIT CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of long term and severe disability. Stroke patients usually suffer from severe physical impairments which can create major economic and social problems. Stroke can cause neuromuscular impairments. Chronic neuromuscular impairments contribute to functional disability following stroke and reduce the gross motor efficiency of ambulation The objective of stroke rehabilitation is to enable patients to achieve their full potential and to maximize the benefits from motor training. Gait rehabilitation is the most important aim for both patients and professionals. Walking energy expenditure varies with degree of weakness and spasticity. The walking oxygen demand of these patients is greater than that of healthy subjects. Tailoring walking training to the cardiovascular and motor abilities of patients should increase the efficacy of intensive task-oriented walking training. Task-specific training (repeated practice of functional tasks) is a treatment approach used to help with recovery after stroke. This approach is based on the simple idea that in order to improve our ability to perform tasks we need to practice doing that particular task numerous times. Further studies is necessary to determine how exercise programs that combine muscle strengthening protocols with task-specific training can be implemented to improve lower extremity musculoskeletal strength in the paretic limb, walking speed, walking distance, motor function and these improvement lead to reductions in functional limitations and disability.