Copyright © 2015 by Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine Analysis of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Variables Using Foot Scans in Hemiplegic Patients

Objective To analyze the differences in the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) variables of hemiplegic patients compared with a control group, and between the affected and unaffected limbs of hemiplegic patients using foot scans. Methods Patients (n=20) with hemiplegia and healthy volunteers (n=20) underwent vertical force analysis. We measured the following: the first and second peak forces (F1, F2) and the percent stances at which they occurred (T1, T2); the vertical force impulse (VFI) and stance times. The GRF results were compared between the hemiplegic patients and control individuals, and between the affected and unaffected limbs of hemiplegic patients. Additionally, we analyzed the impulse of the unaffected limb according to the motor assessment scale (MAS), Brunnstrom stage, and a Timed Up and Go Test. Results The F1s and F2s of the affected and unaffected limbs were significantly less than those of the normal control individuals (p<0.05). The T1s of both the affected and unaffected limbs of the patients were greater tha