Alterations of spinal range of motion while sitting in hemiplegic patients with or without gait available.

ABSTRACT

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine alterations of spinal range of motion while sitting, in hemiplegic patients with or without gait available. [Subjects] There was a gait group (GG) of 6 subjects, and a non-gait group (NGG) of 6 subjects, both with hemiplegia after a stroke. [Methods] The subjects in both groups were given an intervention focusing on ankle dorsi-flexion of the affected foot only once for 30 minutes. The Spinal Mouse was used to gain data of the spinal range of motion before and after the intervention and 30 minutes later for follow-up test. [Results] Only in the gait group, lumbar spinal range of motion showed a significant difference when using flexion extension. Sacral hip and inclination were both increased gradually when upright flexion and flexion extension were used. [Conclusion] Facilitating foot for ankle dorsi-flexion is effective on spinal range of motion especially sacrohip, lumbar spine and inclination only for the subjects in the gait group. The results suggested that ankle dorsi-flexion exercise influences spinal range of motion in a sitting position.