Trunk alignment in different standing positions in healthy subjects and stroke patients -a comparative study with a simple method for the everyday practice.: Trunk alignment in healthy and stroke subjects.

OBJECTIVES: Weight-bearing (WB) on the lower extremities is an important outcome parameter in the rehabilitation of poststroke hemiparesis. However, the patients often regain this ability by compensatory movement patterns.

METHODS: Our goal was to characterize with a simple method the trunk alignment of healthy subjects and stroke patients (n = 17 for both groups) during standing and following lateral weight shift (WS). To describe trunk alignment, five markers were placed on the subjects' back, and the angles of the trunk at both sides were defined by the lines drawn from the posterior angle of the acromion and the iliac crest on the same body side to the seventh thoracic spinal process. Weight distributions on the lower extremities during standing and lateral WS were determined with a force platform.

RESULTS: The patients had significantly limited WB capacity on their paretic limb, which was accompanied with significant asymmetry in the trunk alignment during standing and following WS to the paretic side.

DISCUSSION: Our results show that this patient population tends to use abnormal compensatory movement patterns to optimize weight shifting, and changes of trunk alignment play a key role in this. This should be taken into consideration during rehabilitation.