Background: It is very difficult for hemiplegic patients to effectively perform the sit-to-stand (STS) movements independently because of several factors. Moreover, the analysis of STS motion in hemiplegic patients has been thus far confined to only muscle strength evaluation with little information available on structural and environmental factors of varying chair height and foot conditions. Objects: This study aimed to analyze the change in biomechanical factors (ground reaction force, center of mass displacement, and the angle and moment of joints) of the joints in the lower extremities with varying chair height and foot conditions in hemiplegic patients while they performed the STS movements. Methods: Nine hemiplegic patients voluntarily participated in this study. Their STS movements was analyzed in a total of nine sessions (one set of three consecutive sessions) with varying chair height and foot conditions. The biomechanical factors of the joints in the lower extremities were measured during the movements. Ground reaction force was measured using a force plate; and the other abovementioned parameters were measured using an infra-red camera. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was performed to determine the changes in biomechanical factors in the lower extremities with varying chair height and foot conditions. Results: No interaction was found between chair height and foot conditions (p>.05). All measured variables with varying chair height showed a significant difference (p<.05). Maximum joint flexion angle, maximum joint moment, and the displacement of the center of mass in foot conditions showed a significant difference (p<.05); however the maximum ground reaction force did not show a significant difference (p>.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that hemiplegic patients can more stably and efficiently perform the STS movement with increased chair height and while they are bare-foot.

This study aimed to identify the asymmetry observed in the electromyography (EMG) activity patterns of selected trunk and thigh muscles between the affected and unaffected sides during the sit-to-stand movement in ambulatory patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. This study included 20 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The differences between stroke fast walkers (, 11 subjects) and stroke slow walkers (<8 m/s, 9 subjects) were compared. The activation magnitude and onset time of the multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, hamstrings, and quadriceps during the sit-to-stand movement were recorded through surface EMG. Moreover, the EMG activation magnitude and onset time ratios of each bilateral corresponding muscle from the trunk and leg were measured by dividing the relevant values of the unaffected side by those of the affected side. In all the subjects, the activation magnitudes of the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps on the affected side significantly decreased compared to those on the unaffected side (p<.05). The onset time of muscle activity in the affected side was markedly delayed for the multifidus and quadriceps during the task (p<.05). The activation magnitude ratios of the quadriceps were markedly decreased in the stroke slow walkers as compared to those in the stroke fast walkers. These findings indicate that the asymmetry in the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps muscle activation patterns in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis may be due to the excessive muscle activation in the unaffected side to compensate for the weakened muscle activity in the affected side. Our findings may provide researchers and clinicians with information that can be useful in rehabilitation therapy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a task-oriented approach on weight-bearing distribution and muscular activities of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement in 18 chronic stroke patients. Both groups were received neurodevelopmental treatment for 30 min/day and then the experimental group (=9) followed additional a task-oriented approach (sit-to stand training with controlled environment) and the control group (=9) followed a passive range of motion exercise for 15 min/day, five days/week, for four weeks. Weight-bearing distribution and muscular activities of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement were measured before and after four weeks of training. There was significantly improved weight-bearing distribution of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement in the experimental group compared with that of the control group after four weeks of training (p<.05). But electromyographic activities of the quadriceps and the tibialis anterior of the paretic leg were not significantly different (p>.05). Thus, it is necessary to apply a task-oriented approach to improve the weight-bearing distribution of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement in chronic stroke patients.

연구의 배경 앉은 자세에서 일어서기는 일상생활동작중 흔한 동작중의 하나이다. 노인들을 포함한 많은 환자들은 앉은 자세에서 일어서기에 어려움이 있고 속도가 감소한다. 이 연구의 목적은 다른 두 속도로 앉은 자세에서 일어서는 동작을 실행할 때 최대 지면반발력의 세개의 요소를 비교하는 것이다. 대상자 22명의 건강한 성인 (20-36세)을 대상으로 하였다. 실험방법 앉은 자세에서 일어서기동작 수행중 최대 지면반발력을 측정하기 위하여 힘판을 사용하였다. 대상자