STABILOMETRIC POSTURAL STEADINESS ANALYSIS OF POSTSTROKE HEMIPLEGIC PATIENTS

Postural steadiness characterizes the dynamics of the postural control system and postural sway associated with maintaining balance during quiet standing. It is reported that most of post stroke survivors with hemiplegia bear postural instability while compared to the age matched normal healthy subjects. Hemiplegia, resulting afterstroke, is a condition in which one-half of a patient's body is paralyzed. Hemiplegic patients show increased body sways, asymmetric weight bearing capacity and greater center of pressure excursions at the affected side during quiet standing compared to people without central nervous system disorders. The aim of this research paper is to quantify and characterize the postural steadiness of post stroke hemiplegic patients compared to agematched normal healthy control group using stabilometry that includes a force plate and identify the statistically significant variables using ANOVA test. Similar studies have rarely been performed in Indian health care system concerning the rehabilitation of post stroke survivors.