• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the adverse effects of sensorimotor function at the shoulder joint according to long-term cane usage in stroke patients without apraxic behavior, in terms of the presence of shoulder joint pain, accuracy of tracking task, proprioceptive joint position sense, and nine-hole pegboard. Methods: Nineteen stroke patients with long-term cane usage (cane usage group) and nineteen stroke patients without cane usage (non-cane usage group) were recruited. All subjects were tested in pain presence, a tracking task for visuomotor function, joint reposition, and nine-hole pegboard in the shoulder joint regarding the non-affected side. Results: In the accuracy index for tracking task and the nine-hole pegboard test, significant differences were observed between the cane usage group and the non-cane usage group. However, although a higher emergence of shoulder pain and a lower accuracy for joint reposition sense were detected in the cane usage group in comparison to the non-cane usage group, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that long-term cane usage could induce to decrease in delicate movement and coordination in the non-affected upper arm in stroke patients. In addition, they could experience high frequency of shoulder pain and poor joint reposition sense. Therefore, careful evaluation and observation will be required concerning stroke patients with long-term cane usage.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2013

Purpose: To investigate whether the long-term use of a cane induces pain in the unaffected lower limb of stroke patients. Methods: A total of 107 stroke patients with chronic hemiparesis were recruited in this study and classified into two groups; a cane-use group (n=49) and non-cane-use group (n=58). The existence of pain in the unaffected lower limb was assessed on a visual analog scale in the hip, knee, and ankle joint, and the University of Alabama pain behaviors scale (UAB pain behavior scale) used to measure the intensity of pain. In addition, the Motricity Index (MI) was tested in the upper and lower extremities. Results: The proportion of pain in each joint of the lower limb was significantly higher in the cane-use group, compared to the non-cane-use group (p<0.05). In addition, significant differences were observed on the UAB pain behavior scale between the two groups. The lower MI score was significantly lower in the cane-use group, compared with the control group. However, no difference was observed in MI scores of the upper limb between the two groups. Conclusion: These findings reveal that long-term cane usage can induce pain in the unaffected lower limb of stroke patients. We suggest careful consideration when prescribing a cane, depending on functional ability in hemiparetic patients, and recommend continuous evaluation for pain in the affected lower limb.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.7-12
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• 2011

Purpose: The cane is one of the most popular assistive devices for stroke patients. Clinical complaints of sensorimotor functions on the ipsilateral upper limb were appealed in stroke patients who had used a cane for a long period. Therefore, we investigated whether cane usage for a long-term period affected sensoriomotor dysfunctions on the non-affected upper limb, in terms of pain presence, shoulder joint sense, a nine-hole pegboard test, and a tracking task. Methods: We recruited 12 stroke patients, who were divided into the cane-using (CU) group or the non-cane using (NCU) group, according to cane usage experience. We evaluated joint position sense for the integrity of proprioceptive reposition sense in the shoulder joint, used a nine-hole pegboard test for upper limb dexterity evaluation, and a tracking task for visuomotor coordination. Results: Four patients in the CU group had complained of shoulder pain none did in the NCU group. In addition, the CU group showed more reposition errors on the shoulder joint than the NCU group did. In addition, the CU group had more difficulty in proprioceptive sense perception and in performance of the nine-hole pegboard teat and tracking task, compared with the NCU group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cane usage for a long period in stroke patients could give rise to trigger joint pain and decrease proprioceptive sense. In addition, complex motor performance in the ipsilateral upper limb could deteriorate. In stroke patients who had used acane for long period, careful observation and proper intervention will be necessary.