The Use of Brace to Retrain Hemiparetic Gait

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to verify if the incorporation of a new brace, which assists in gait rehabilitation, can contribute to the rehabilitation process for stroke patients.

Detailed Description
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Objective To compare the behavior of plantar pressure peak distribution, before and after training using a brace for gait rehabilitation. Method The brace was developed with the aim of promoting better biomechanical alignment, as well as providing proprioceptive information in order to stimulate action in the knee's flexor muscle groups, thus facilitating the activation pattern contrary to what occurs during genu recurvatum. We conducted a quasi-experimental before and after study with twelve hemiparetic adult patients who had genu recurvatum in the gait. The plantar pressure peaks were compared at the various moments of the study.

Official Title
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The Use of a Brace to Retrain Hemiparetic Gait in Patients With Genu Recurvatum: Effects on Plantar Pressure Distribution

Conditions
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Stroke Nos Without Residual Deficits

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Bracing


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: the presence of hemiparesis after the stroke, with an evolution time of between 6 and 24 months, the ability to walk without using assistive aids, and the presence of genu recurvatum during the mid-stance in the gait. Exclusion Criteria: conditions that would preclude evaluation and training with the brace; for example, the presence of contractures or fixed deformities in the lower limbs, and moderate to severe impairments related to cognition, perception, attention, or language

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Bracing<br>Bracing: the patients began four weeks of training the gait with the brace, under the guidance and observation of the physiotherapist belonging to the group of authors of this study. | Device: Bracing<br>* Twice a week, for a period of 5 weeks, before the sessions in the physiotherapy clinic the patients participating in the study were asked to walk at a self-selected speed on flat ground along a corridor 50 meters long, with the brace being used for fifteen minutes of gait retraining of the affected side.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| distribution of plantar pressures during walking | To evaluate the distribution of plantar pressures during walking, for individuals with hemiparesis, before and after training with a brace for gait retraining and control of genu recurvatum. To observe the gait evolution of 12 patientes after the trainnig with a orthotic device. | 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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stroke,, rehabilitation,, hemiparesis,, gait training