Baropodometric technology used to analyze types of weight-bearing during hemiparetic upright position

• Main Authors: Lidiane Teles de Menezes (Author), Paulo Henrique Ferreira de Araujo Barbosa (Author), Abraão Souza Costa (Author), Anderson Castro Mundim (Author), Gabrielly Craveiro Ramos (Author), Clarissa Cardoso dos Santos Couto Paz (Author), Emerson Fachin Martins (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Editora Champagnat.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1980-5918; 10.1590/S0103-51502012000300014
• Keywords: Baropodometria; Postura; Equilíbrio; Acidente vascular encefálico; Hemiplegia; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950; Sports medicine; RC1200-1245
• Source: Fisioterapia em Movimento, Vol 25, Iss 3, Pp 583-594

INTRODUCTION: Although baropodometric analysis has been published since the 1990s, only now it is found a considerable number of studies showing different uses in the rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To amplify the use of this technology, this research aimed to analyze baropodometric records during upright position of subjects with hemiparesis, describing a way to define weight-bearing profiles in this population. METHOD: 20 healthy subjects were matched by gender and age with 12 subjects with chronic spastic hemiparesis. This control group was formed to establish the limits of symmetry during weight-bearing distribution in the hemiparesis group. Next, hemiparesis group was submitted to procedures to measure baropodometric records used to provide variables related to the weight-bearing distribution, the arch index and the displacements in the center of pressure (CoP). Data were used to compare differences among kinds of weight-bearing distribution (symmetric, asymmetric toward non-paretic or paretic foot) and coordination system for CoP displacements. RESULTS: Hemiparesis group was compounded by eight symmetrics, eight asymmetrics toward non-paretic foot and four asymmetric toward paretic foot. Significant differences in the weight-bearing distributions between non-predominantly and predominantly used foot did not promote differences in the other baropodometric records (peak and mean of pressure, and support area). Mainly in the asymmetry toward non-paretic foot it was observed significant modifications of the baropodometric records. CONCLUSION: Baropodometric technology can be used to analyze weight-bearing distribution during upright position of subjects with hemiparesis, detecting different kinds of weight-bearing profiles useful to therapeutic programs and researches involving subjects with this disability.