Hemiplegia-induced immobilizatoin and reduction of mechanical loading in chronic stroke limbs are common cause of disuse osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of asymmetrical weight bearing on the loss of bone mineral in the individual with chronic stroke. Sixteen hemiplegic patients with strokes were evaluated. The measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated with the quantitative ultrasound system on the calcaneus region of the paretic and non-paretic side. Plantar pressure was measured using the Mat-Scan system. The paretic side showed significantly smaller values in the T-score of BMD, and peak value of plantar pressure, which included forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot, than the non-paretic side (p<.05). Results from the pearson correlation analysis showed statistically significant correlation between the BMD difference and the peak-pressure difference of midfoot pressure (p<.05). This finding indicated that BMD loss depended on decrease of body weight born on the paretic leg.

• Hwa-kyung Shin(Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Catholic University of Daegu)
• Tae-ho Kim(Dept. of Physical Therapy, Daegu Health College) Corresponding author