The Effects of Shoes Modification on Energy Consumption in Hemiplegic Gait.
- Author:
Jeong Hwan SEO
1
;
Myoung Hwan KO
;
Yun Hee KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hemiplegic gait;
Energy consumption;
Shoes modification
- MeSH:
Evaluation Studies as Topic;
Gait Disorders, Neurologic*;
Humans;
Lower Extremity;
Oxygen Consumption;
Shoes*;
Walking
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
1999;23(1):17-23
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a contralateral shoe-lift and ipsilateral leather outsole on the energy consumption in hemiplegic gait. METHOD: Ten hemiplegic patients who could walk independently were enrolled. Using portable ergospirometer (K4b2, Cosmed, Italy), quantitative evaluation of oxygen consumption under varying shoes conditions was done: 1) regular shoes 2) a half-inch shoe-lift on the sound side 3) a half-inch shoe-lift on the sound side and leather outsole on the plegic side. The evaluation distance was 20 meter on comfortable walking speed. RESULTS: The oxygen consumption was significantly decreased after the application of shoe-lift compared with regular shoes (p<0.01), and the oxygen consumption was least with the application of shoe-lift and leather outsole (p<0.05). This effect was prominent in subject with poor muscle power in hemiplegic lower extremity. The walking speed was also increased with shoe-lift and leather outsole (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that proper shoes modification can reduce the energy consumption in hemiplegic gait and can lead to more efficient functional ambulation.
