Electromyographic and kinematic assessment of locomotor function in patients with ischemic stroke (case report)
M. Tsvetkova-Gaberska
, M. Filipova
, A. Zelnichka, M. Simonska
, R. Kalpachki
Abstract: Objective: Gait disorders in post-stroke patients are caused by factors such as the severity of motor paralysis, sensory impairment, spasticity, instability, and gait strategy. Severe motor paralysis and spasticity lead to abnormal muscle activity patterns that affect the kinematics of the lower limbs during walking. Sensory impairment and loss of balance lead to impaired motor coordination of the lower limbs, stride length and balance. This report presents a system for electromyographic and kinematic gait assessment in patients one year after stroke. Materials and methods: The 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) and a portable electromyographic system for the objective measurement of kinematics and muscle activity (FREE EMG and G-Walk sensor, BTS Co., Italy) were used. Results: Increased stride length on the affected side, slightly longer stance phases, and decreased walking speed and cadence were revealed. Stride time, the duration of the single stance phase in both lower limbs and double stance time were increased, with the deficit being more pronounced on the left side. Increased obliquity in the gait cycle of the affected side often indicates pelvic 'hiking' — a compensation for insufficient dorsiflexion and/or limited knee flexion during the swing phase. Discussion: According to the authors, hemiplegic gait after stroke comprises deviations and compensatory movements dictated by residual functions. Therefore, each patient should undergo examination to identify and document their unique gait pattern. Conclusion: Early diagnosis, regular functional assessments, and targeted rehabilitation are essential for improving gait and independent performance of activities of daily living in patients.
Series on Biomechanics, Vol.40, No. 1 (2026),36-43
DOI: 10.7546/SB.01.05.2026
Keywords: kinematic assessment; locomotor function; post-stroke gait; Еlectromyography (EMG)
| References: (click to open/close) | [1] Banga, H., Kalra, P., Belokar, R., Kumar, R., Saxena, S., Mahapatra, D. 2022. Human Gait Analysis: A Case Study in Clinical Applications. Series on Biomechanics, 36, 4, 66-75
[2] Verma, R., Arya, K. N., Sharma, P. & Garg, R. K., 2012. Understanding gait control in post-stroke: Implications for management. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 16, 14–21.
[3] Balaban, B., & Tok, F. 2014. Gait Disturbances in Patients with Stroke. PM&R, 6, 7, 635–642.
[4] Mizuta, N., Hasui, N., Kai, T. et al., 2024. Characteristics of limb kinematics in the gait disorders of post-stroke patients. Sci Rep 14, 3082.
[5] Bensoussan, L., Mesure S, Viton JM, Delarque A., 2006. Kinematic and kinetic asymmetries in hemiplegic patients’ gait initiation patterns. J Rehabil Med38:287-294.
[6] Miscusi, M., Di Bartolomeo, A., Scafa, A., Ricciardi, L., Chiarella, V., Giugliano, M., Castiglia, S. F., Varrecchia, T., Serrao, M., & Raco, A. 2023. The dynamic sagittal balance: Definition of dynamic spino-pelvic parameters using a method based on gait analysis. World neurosurgery: X, 18, 100165.
[7] Mohan, DM., Khandoker, AH., Wasti, SA., Ismail, I., Alali, S., Jelinek, HF., Khalaf, K., 2021. Assessment
Methods of Post-stroke Gait: A Scoping Review of Technology-Driven Approaches to Gait Characterization and Analysis, Front Neurol, 8, 12, 650024.
[8] Estrada-Barranco, C., Cano-de-la Cuerda, R., Molina-Rueda, F., 2019. Construct validity of the wisconsin gait scale in acute, subacute and chronic stroke. Gait Posture, 68:363–8.
[9] Filipova, M., Popova, D., Bogomilova, S., Nenova, G., 2020. Kinesitherapeutic approach in patients with ischemic stroke treated with venous thrombolysis. J of IMAB, 26, 4,3371-3373.
[10] Ferrarello, F., Bianchi, VAM., Baccini, M., Rubbieri, G., Mossello, E., Cavallini, MC., et al. 2013. Tools for observational gait analysis in patients with stroke: a systematic review. Phys Therapy, 9, 31673–85.
[11] Nadeau, S., Betschart, M., & Bethoux, F.A. 2013. Gait analysis for poststroke rehabilitation: the relevance of biomechanical analysis and the impact of gait speed. Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America, 24 2, 265-276.
[12] Awad, LN., Bae, J., Kudzia, P., Long, A., Hendron, K., Holt, KG., OʼDonnell, K., Ellis, TD., Walsh, CJ., 2017 Reducing Circumduction and Hip Hiking During Hemiparetic Walking Through Targeted Assistance of the Paretic Limb Using a Soft Robotic Exosuit, Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 96, 10, 157-164.
[13] Little, VL., McGuirk, TE., Perry, LA., Patten, C., 2018. Pelvic excursion during walking post-stroke: A novel classification system. Gait Posture, 62, 395-404.
[14] Pinho, L., Freitas, M., Pinho, F., Silva, S., Figueira, V., Ribeiro, E., Sousa, A. S. P., Sousa, F., & Silva, A., 2025. A Comprehensive Understanding of Postural Tone Biomechanics: Intrinsic Stiffness, Functional Stiffness, Antagonist Coactivation, and COP Dynamics in Post-Stroke Adults. Sensors, 25, 7, 2196.
[15] Komaris, D-S., Tsaopoulos, D., Risvas, K., Nikolopoulos, S., Baltzopoulos, V., Maganaris, C., Kompatsiaris, I., 2025. Comparative analysis of muscle synergies in gait of stroke patients and healthy controls. Front. Hum. Neurosci, 19, 1601147.
[16] Filipova, M., Popova, D., 2023. The effect of kinesiotape in the lower limb area on improving locomotion in patients with ischemic stroke. J of IMAB, 29, 2, 4869-4871.
[17] Stanhope, VA., Knarr, BA., Reisman, DS., Higginson, JS., 2014. Frontal plane compensatory strategies associated with self-selected walking speed in individuals post-stroke. Clin Biomech (Bristol), 29, 5, 518-22.
|
|
| Date published: 2026-03-23
(Price of one pdf file: 50.00 BGN/25.00 EUR)
