Synchronized Cyclograms to Assess Inter-Limb Symmetry during Gait in Post-Stroke Patients

The aim of this study was to assess the inter-limb symmetry during gait in post-stroke patients using the synchronized cyclograms technique. In total, 41 individuals with stroke (21 left and 20 right hemiplegic patients; age: 57.9 +/- 12.8 years; time stroke event 4.6 +/- 1.8 years) and 48 age-, sex-, and height-matched individuals (control group: CG; age: 54.4 +/- 12.5 years) were assessed via 3D gait analysis. Raw kinematic data were processed to compute spatio-temporal parameters (speed, stride length, cadence, stance, swing, and double support phases duration) and angle-angle diagrams (synchronized cyclograms), which were characterized in terms of area, orientation, and trend symmetry indices. The results reveal that all spatio-temporal parameters are characterized by abnormal values, with reduced speed, stride length, cadence, and swing phase duration and increased stance and double support phases duration. With respect to inter-limb symmetry, higher values were found in post-stroke individuals for all the considered parameters as patients generally exhibited a cyclogram characterized by larger areas, higher orientation, and trend symmetry parameters with respect to CG. The described alterations of gait asymmetry are important from a clinical point of view as the achievement of symmetry in gait represents a crucial objective in the rehabilitation of hemiplegic people.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to assess inter-limb symmetry during gait in post-stroke patients using the synchronized cyclograms technique. The results showed that post-stroke patients had abnormal gait parameters and higher inter-limb symmetry compared to the control group. Achieving symmetry in gait is crucial for the rehabilitation of hemiplegic people.