The Effects of Height of Shoe Lifts on Gait and Balance in Hemiplegic Patients.

편마비 환자에서 신발 높이의 차이가 보행과 균형에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of height of shoe lifts on gait and balance in hemiplegic patients. Twenty-two hemiplegic patients who were receiving rehabilitation treatment at Hanyang University Seoul Hospital and National Rehabilitation Center participated in this study from November 8, 2002 through March 20, 2003. Data analysis using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni method, for a post-test. The results of this study were as follows : First, shoe lift on the height of 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm significantly improved, as compared to un-lift status, in gait velocity, PCI, weight bearing(p<0.05). Second, gait velocity was significantly difference between 3mm and 9mm, and between 3mm and 12mm, and weight bearing on the affected side was significantly difference between 3mm and 12mm, and between 6mm and 12mm(p<0.05). Third, after the shoe lift removed was significantly improved in gait velocity, PCI, weight bearing than before shoe lifts being added(p<0.05). These results suggest that shoe lift on the unaffected side may helpful for improving the gait efficiency and symmetrically of weight bearing. Furthermore, persistence of gait efficiency and symmetrically of weight bearing after removing the shoe lift suggests carryover effect of gait training on shoe lift of unaffected side.