The evaluation tool to predict decreased exercise tolerance in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of CHKB on the walking speed and knee function of stroke patients. Methods: Eleven stroke patients who could walk at least 50m without assistance participated. We used 2-D motion analysis tomeasurewalking speed andminimumkneeflexion angle at mid-stance on the hemiplegic side. The participants walked 10m under two conditions, with a hinged knee brace (KB) andwithCHKB.Themeasurement sequencewas determined randomly. We examined each condition twice, and investigated the average walking speed and minimum knee flexion angle at mid-stance on the hemiplegic side. Results: The average walking speed in the two condition was 0.78m/swithKBand 0.82m/swithCHKB.A significant difference was observed between KB and CHKB. Five of eleven participants hadwalking speed improvements of more than 10%with CHKB compared with KB. Seven participants had abnormal knee-patterns with KB; one had a stiff-knee pattern, two had a buckling-knee pattern and four had an extension-thrust pattern. In five of these seven participants, twowith a buckling-knee pattern and threewith an extensionthrust pattern, the abnormal knee motion was improved with CHKB. Conclusion(s): This study suggests that CHKB can improve walking speed and reduce abnormal knee patterns at mid-stance on the hemiplegic side in stroke patients. Implications: To improve walking speed and abnormal knee pattern,CHKBmight useful in cases ofmild hemiplegia. CHKB may promote acute stroke rehabilitation.