Abstract

Background:

Though there is clear biomechanical understanding of different phases of sit to stand, effect of training focused on specific phase of sit to stand could not be clearly understood from the literature.

Aim:

To study the effect of training specific to weight transference phase of sit to stand on weight sifting ability on paretic limb and sit to stand performance in patients with hemiplegia.

Method:

Fifteen first time cerebral hemispheric stroke patients with hemiplegia were trained to recruit lower extremity muscles specific to weight transference phase of sit to stand. Fifteen other patients with similar characteristics were the controls. Both the group received physiotherapy based on their impairments. The outcomes were tested with weight shifted over paretic lower limb in weight transference phase, Brunnstrom stages and sit to stand component of Motor Assessment Scale after 14 sessions of treatment. The results were tested with parametric and non-parametric tests with p<0>.

Results:

The patients in experimental group improved better than control group in all the outcomes. In experimental group patients were able to shift 6.91 kg compared to 3.82 kg by control group (p=0.01). Six patients in experimental group were able to stand up without using upper extremity while none of the patient in the control group achieved this based on MAS. Around 50% of the patients in both groups reached stage III of Brunnstrom scale.

Conclusion:

Training specific to weight transference phase will improve weight shifting ability on paretic lower limb and sit to stand performance in patients with hemiplegia.

Keywords:

Sit to Stand, Hemiplegia, Auditory feedback, Motor assessment scale, Brunnstrom stages.

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