Patients with hemiplegia usually show different body weight distribution as compared with normal subjects. Asymmetrical posture during static stance has been identified as a common problem in patients with hemiplegia. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of vision and visual feedback on body weight distribution while standing under three conditions: eyes-closed, eyes-open and visual feedback condition. Fourteen patients with hemiplegia participated in the study. Their body weight distribution during standing for 20 seconds was measured by Limloader. The data were analysed by repeated measure of one-way ANOVA. The weight bearing on the paretic limb in the eyes-open condition was significantly higher than that of the eyes-closed condition. The weight bearing on the parietic limb in the visual feedback condition was significantly higher than that of the eyes-open condition. These results suggest that patients with hemiplegia can improve their symmetrical stance ability using visual feedback.

• 김명진(영동전문대학 물리치료과) | Kim Myoung-jin