Vertical force loaded on walking canes in hemiparetic patients

Abstract This study was designed to measure the amount of force applied by hemiparetic patients to either a 4-point or a 1-point cane during a single measurement session as well as at specific time intervals after the first evaluation. The influence of usage of either cane type on gait symmetry was also tested. Data on vertical forces loaded on a 4-point and a 1-point cane along with temporal gait variables were gathered from 28 hemiparetic patients, residents of a geriatric rehabilitation institution. Patients were tested at least twice with an interval of 7–14 days between measurements. Testing at each session included measurements during 4-point cane ambulation; Whenever possible. measurements during 1-point cane and/or during free ambulation were also performed. It was found that during the same measurement session, peak force as well as mean force loaded on the 4-point cane was not statistically different from the force applied to a 1-point cane. Yet because of a slower cadence adopted during 4-point cane gait, the integrated force applied to it was larger than the integrated force loaded on a 1-point cane. The peak and integrated forces applied to both cane types decreased with the passage of time. Regarding gait symmetry, duration of single-support period of the affected leg remained 0.6 of the equivalent period in the non-paretic leg. Combination of this finding with the fact that cadence increased over time indicates that the increase in weight bearing by the affected leg could be maintained for only a short period of time, yet the capability to repeat this event frequently has improved.