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Lower limb co-contraction during walking in subjects with stroke: a systematic review

Lower limb co-contraction during walking in subjects with stroke: a systematic review
Lower limb co-contraction during walking in subjects with stroke: a systematic review
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to identify and synthesise existing evidence on lower limb muscle co-contraction (MCo) during walking in subjects with stroke.

METHODS: An electronic literature search on Web of Science, PubMed and B-on was conducted. Studies from 1999 to 2012 which analysed lower limb MCo during walking in subjects with stroke, were included.

RESULTS: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria: 3 studied MCo in acute stage of stroke, 3 in the chronic stage and 2 at both stages. Seven were observational and 1 had a pretest-posttest interventional design. The methodological quality was "fair to good" to "high" quality (only 1 study). Different methodologies to assess walking and quantify MCo were used. There is some controversy in MCo results, however subjects with stroke tended towards longer MCo in both lower limbs in both the acute and chronic stages, when compared with healthy controls. A higher level of post-stroke walking ability (speed; level of independence) was correlated with longer thigh MCo in the non-affected limb. One study demonstrated significant improvements in walking ability over time without significant changes in MCo patterns.

CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with stroke commonly present longer MCo during walking, probably in an attempt to improve walking ability. However, to ensure recommendations for clinical practice, further research with standardized methodologies is needed.

co-contraction, coactivation, gait, locomotion, walking, stroke, cerebrovascular disease
1050-6411
1-10
Rosa, Marlene C.
161b05d6-e3fd-4e88-b2f8-09928ae77546
Marques, Alda
adcfe8d5-518a-4079-902a-130ebc68d338
Demain, Sara
09b1124d-750a-4eb1-90c7-91f5f222fc31
Metcalf, Cheryl
09a47264-8bd5-43bd-a93e-177992c22c72
Rosa, Marlene C.
161b05d6-e3fd-4e88-b2f8-09928ae77546
Marques, Alda
adcfe8d5-518a-4079-902a-130ebc68d338
Demain, Sara
09b1124d-750a-4eb1-90c7-91f5f222fc31
Metcalf, Cheryl
09a47264-8bd5-43bd-a93e-177992c22c72

Rosa, Marlene C., Marques, Alda, Demain, Sara and Metcalf, Cheryl (2013) Lower limb co-contraction during walking in subjects with stroke: a systematic review. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 1-10. (doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.10.016). (PMID:24246405)

Record type: Article

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to identify and synthesise existing evidence on lower limb muscle co-contraction (MCo) during walking in subjects with stroke.

METHODS: An electronic literature search on Web of Science, PubMed and B-on was conducted. Studies from 1999 to 2012 which analysed lower limb MCo during walking in subjects with stroke, were included.

RESULTS: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria: 3 studied MCo in acute stage of stroke, 3 in the chronic stage and 2 at both stages. Seven were observational and 1 had a pretest-posttest interventional design. The methodological quality was "fair to good" to "high" quality (only 1 study). Different methodologies to assess walking and quantify MCo were used. There is some controversy in MCo results, however subjects with stroke tended towards longer MCo in both lower limbs in both the acute and chronic stages, when compared with healthy controls. A higher level of post-stroke walking ability (speed; level of independence) was correlated with longer thigh MCo in the non-affected limb. One study demonstrated significant improvements in walking ability over time without significant changes in MCo patterns.

CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with stroke commonly present longer MCo during walking, probably in an attempt to improve walking ability. However, to ensure recommendations for clinical practice, further research with standardized methodologies is needed.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 8 November 2013
Keywords: co-contraction, coactivation, gait, locomotion, walking, stroke, cerebrovascular disease
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences, Advancing Clinical & Expert Practice

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 360627
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/360627
ISSN: 1050-6411
PURE UUID: 5a2745c4-5fa9-48c3-9638-ec33951f5bab
ORCID for Cheryl Metcalf: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-7404-6066

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 19 Dec 2013 14:38
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:20

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Contributors

Author: Marlene C. Rosa
Author: Alda Marques
Author: Sara Demain
Author: Cheryl Metcalf ORCID iD

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