A cross-sectional observational study comparing foot and ankle characteristics in people with stroke and healthy controls
A cross-sectional observational study comparing foot and ankle characteristics in people with stroke and healthy controls
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and compare foot and ankle characteristics in people with stroke and healthy controls; and between stroke fallers and non-fallers.
Methods: Participants were recruited from community groups and completed standardized tests assessing sensation, foot posture, foot function, ankle dorsiflexion and first metatarsal phalangeal joint range of motion (1st MPJ ROM), hallux valgus presence and severity.
Results: Twenty-three stroke participants (mean age 75.09?±?7.57 years; 12 fallers) and 16 controls (mean age 73.44?±?8.35 years) took part. Within the stroke group, reduced 1st MPJ sensation (p?=?0.016) and 1st MPJ ROM (p?=?0.025) were observed in the affected foot in comparison to the non-affected foot; no other differences were apparent. Pooled data (for both feet) was used to explore between stroke/control (n?=?78 feet) and stroke faller/non-faller (n?=?46 feet) group differences. In comparison to the control group, stroke participants exhibited reduced sensation of the 1st MPJ (p?=?0.020), higher Foot Posture Index scores (indicating greater foot pronation, p?=?0.008) and reduced foot function (p?=?0.003). Stroke fallers exhibited significantly greater foot pronation in comparison to non-fallers (p?=?0.027).
Conclusions: Results indicated differences in foot and ankle characteristics post stroke in comparison to healthy controls. These changes may negatively impact functional ability and the ability to preserve balance. Further research is warranted to explore the influence of foot problems on balance ability and falls in people with stroke.
Implications for Rehabilitation
Foot problems are common post stroke.
As foot problems have been linked to increased fall risk among the general population we recommend that it would be beneficial to include foot and ankle assessments or a referral to a podiatrist for people with stroke who report foot problems.
Further research is needed to explore if we can improve functional performance post stroke and reduce fall risk if treatment or prevention of foot problems can be included in stroke rehabilitation.
1149-1154
Kunkel, Dorit
6b6c65d5-1d03-4a13-9db8-1342cd43f352
Potter, Julia
b5ff4550-1389-49e2-a19f-51bb8d250067
Mamode, Louis
d41bea31-68c4-4f39-84cb-20fe93cc35a8
2017
Kunkel, Dorit
6b6c65d5-1d03-4a13-9db8-1342cd43f352
Potter, Julia
b5ff4550-1389-49e2-a19f-51bb8d250067
Mamode, Louis
d41bea31-68c4-4f39-84cb-20fe93cc35a8
Kunkel, Dorit, Potter, Julia and Mamode, Louis
(2017)
A cross-sectional observational study comparing foot and ankle characteristics in people with stroke and healthy controls.
Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (12), .
(doi:10.1080/09638288.2016.1189605).
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and compare foot and ankle characteristics in people with stroke and healthy controls; and between stroke fallers and non-fallers.
Methods: Participants were recruited from community groups and completed standardized tests assessing sensation, foot posture, foot function, ankle dorsiflexion and first metatarsal phalangeal joint range of motion (1st MPJ ROM), hallux valgus presence and severity.
Results: Twenty-three stroke participants (mean age 75.09?±?7.57 years; 12 fallers) and 16 controls (mean age 73.44?±?8.35 years) took part. Within the stroke group, reduced 1st MPJ sensation (p?=?0.016) and 1st MPJ ROM (p?=?0.025) were observed in the affected foot in comparison to the non-affected foot; no other differences were apparent. Pooled data (for both feet) was used to explore between stroke/control (n?=?78 feet) and stroke faller/non-faller (n?=?46 feet) group differences. In comparison to the control group, stroke participants exhibited reduced sensation of the 1st MPJ (p?=?0.020), higher Foot Posture Index scores (indicating greater foot pronation, p?=?0.008) and reduced foot function (p?=?0.003). Stroke fallers exhibited significantly greater foot pronation in comparison to non-fallers (p?=?0.027).
Conclusions: Results indicated differences in foot and ankle characteristics post stroke in comparison to healthy controls. These changes may negatively impact functional ability and the ability to preserve balance. Further research is warranted to explore the influence of foot problems on balance ability and falls in people with stroke.
Implications for Rehabilitation
Foot problems are common post stroke.
As foot problems have been linked to increased fall risk among the general population we recommend that it would be beneficial to include foot and ankle assessments or a referral to a podiatrist for people with stroke who report foot problems.
Further research is needed to explore if we can improve functional performance post stroke and reduce fall risk if treatment or prevention of foot problems can be included in stroke rehabilitation.
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Accepted/In Press date: 10 May 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 23 June 2016
Published date: 2017
Organisations:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 401449
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/401449
ISSN: 0963-8288
PURE UUID: c3b0d59f-6589-40b1-b313-e4c541b1f197
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Date deposited: 17 Oct 2016 13:41
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:58
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Author:
Julia Potter
Author:
Louis Mamode
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