Perturbation-Induced Stepping Post-stroke: A Pilot Study Demonstrating Altered Strategies of Both Legs

Katherine M Martinez (1) , Mark Rogers (2) , Mary T Blackinton (3) , M. Samuel Samuel Cheng (3) , Marie-Laure Mille (4)

1 Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences
2 University of Maryland School of Medicine
3 NSU - Nova Southeastern University
4 ISM - Institut des Sciences du Mouvement Etienne Jules Marey

Introduction: Asymmetrical sensorimotor function after stroke creates unique challenges for bipedal tasks such as walking or perturbation-induced reactive stepping. Preference for initiating steps with the less-involved (preferred) leg after a perturbation has been reported with limited information on the stepping response of the more-involved (non-preferred) leg. Understanding the capacity of both legs to respond to a perturbation would enhance the design of future treatment approaches. This pilot study investigated the difference in perturbation-induced stepping between legs in stroke participant and non-impaired controls. We hypothesized that stepping performance will be different between groups as well as between legs for post-stroke participants.

Keywords: Sensorimotor dysfunction

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]; Psychology and behavior; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]; Cognitive Sciences

Katherine M Martinez, Mark Rogers, Mary T Blackinton, M. Samuel Samuel Cheng, Marie-Laure Mille. Perturbation-Induced Stepping Post-stroke: A Pilot Study Demonstrating Altered Strategies of Both Legs. Frontiers in Neurology, 2019, 10, ⟨10.3389/fneur.2019.00711⟩. ⟨hal-02272336⟩