Investigation of the spatio-temporal gait parameters in individuals with hemiparesis: The effect of lateralization Gait parameters in hemiparetics

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lateralization on the spatio-temporal characteristics of gait in individuals with hemiparesis. Material and Methods: A total of 108 individuals aged 20-65 years were included in the study. Thirty-six individuals were right hemiparetics (Group 1: 16F, 20M), 36 were left hemiparetics (Group 2: 16F, 20M) and 36 were healthy controls (Group 3: 19F, 17M). The Gait Analysis System was used to assess the spatio-temporal gait characteristics. Results: The demographic and clinical characteristics of the groups were similar (p>0.05). When gait analysis. results were compared according to lateralization, the gait of the individuals in Group 1 was more symmetrical (p<0.05) and pelvis movements were more asymmetric than in Group 2 (p>0.05). When gait parameters of hemiparetic individuals were compared to healthy individuals, the cadence, gait speed, stride length and gait symmetry of the hemiparetic individuals were lower, but the gait period was longer than in Group 3 (p<0.05). Pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic rotation symmetries of the hemiparetic Individuals were lower than in Group 3 (p<0.05). Discussion: Lateralization affects the spatio-temporal characteristics of gait in individuals with hemiparesis. Right hemiparetic individuals have a more symmetrical gait and asymmetric pelvis movements when compared to the left hemiparetic individuals.