Informative of Surface Electromyography and Prognostic Factors in Assessing the Recovery of Balance and Gait After Stroke

Testing key muscles from the lower extremities (muscle rectus femoris, muscle biceps femoris, muscle gastrocnemius, lateral head, muscle tibialis anterior) against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a 0 (No contraction) to 5 (Movement against gravity with full resistance) scale.

Time change heel to forefoot.

The average maximum force change reached in N/cm² for the three zones: toes, mid-foot and heel.

The average maximum pressure reached in N/cm² for the three zones: toes, mid-foot and heel (left and right legs separately).

The change of the average point in time within a gait cycle where the maximum values for the three zones: toes, mid-foot and heel were collected in Newton.

The average contact time change of the three zone toes, mid-foot and heel as a percentage.

The change from baseline of the progression of the center of pressure of all the steps recorded of one side of the body (left and right side of body separately).

The shift change forwards or backwards of the Center of pressure.

The change from baseline of the left /right shift of the center of pressure, taking all the steps into consideration. A negative value indicates a shift to the left, and a positive value, a shift to the right.

Time change during the phase within a gait cycle between the heel contact of one side of the body and the heel contact of the contralateral side.

Change from baseline of step frequency.

Average gait speed change from baseline during the analyzed measuring interval (30 seconds).

The phase of a gait cycle change in which the foot has contact with the ground.

Change from baseline of the phase of a gait cycle during which the foot has no contact with the ground.

The phase change from baseline during a gait cycle that begins at contralateral initial contact (when the heel of the contralateral side touches the ground) and ends at toe off of the viewed side of the body.

The change from baseline of the angle between the longitudinal axis of the foot and the walking direction.

Change of the distance between the heel contact of one side of the body and the heel contact of the contralateral side.

the distance change between two heel contacts on the same side of the body.

The distance change between the right and left foot.

Surface electromyography measurements of key muscles (muscle rectus femoris, muscle biceps femoris, muscle gastrocnemius, lateral head, muscle tibialis anterior) with a disposable dual surface electrode. Change of surface electromyography signals during walking on treadmill for 30 seconds.

Change from baseline of the averaged load distribution of the left and right forefoot or heel, as well as the load distribution of the left and right contact surface in per cent.

The BBS will be used to assess postural performance of participants. The movable platform of the BBS allows up to 20° of surface tilt in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. The device is equipped with computer software (Biodex, version 3.1; Biodex Medical Systems). Platform Setting 8. Test Trial Time 20 secs. A high number is indicative of a lot of motion, which is indicative of the patient having trouble balancing. Change from baseline postural stability by overall stability index.

During test, patients must shift their weight to move the cursor from the center target to a blinking target and back as quickly and with as little deviation as possible. Platform Setting STATIC. Direction control - OVERALL. Faster - better. Time change of limit of stability test.

During test, patients must shift their weight to move the cursor from the center target to a blinking target and back as quickly and with as little deviation as possible. Platform Setting STATIC. Direction control - OVERALL. The goal - 65 scores and more. Score change of limit of stability test.

Test results are compared to age dependent normative data. Scores higher than normative values suggest further assessment. Platform Setting 12-8. Test Trial Time 20 seconds. Direction control - OVERALL. Patient's aged 54-71 years' normative scores are 0.9-3.7 scores, 72-89 years' normative scores are 2-4 scores, 36-53 years' normative scores are 0.7-3.1 scores, 17-35 years' normative scores are 0.7-2.1 scores. Change from baseline a fall risk by scores.

The test assesses how well a patient can integrate sensory information to maintain balance. Change from baseline the CTSIB test by the patient's sway index, which represents the mean absolute deviation of the patient's average position during a test. The higher the sway index, the more unsteady the person was during the test. Test Trial Time 30 seconds. The test performs with the patient standing on a firm and foam platform with the eyes open and closed. Measure Sway index of Composite Score.

A test consists of three positions (Double Leg Stance, Single Leg Stance and Tandem Leg Stance) on two types of platforms (firm and foam) for a total of six conditions. With the Balance System SD, time and error counting is replaced with a measure of sway. Change from baseline balancing errors by Sway index of Composite Score. The higher the sway index, the more unsteady the person was during the test. Test Trial Time 20 seconds