Is the diaphragm thickness related to gait speed in patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebrovascular accident?

Takumi Jiroumaru
 Michio Wachi
 Shinichi Noguchi
 Masae Ikeya
 Tomoka Hattori
 Ryo Fujitani
 Mika Suzuki
 Sosuke Tanida
 Nobuko Shichiri
 Takamitu Fujikawa

[Purpose] We aimed to determine the relationship between gait speed and diaphragm thickness in community-residing patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebrovascular accidents. [Participants and Methods] We recruited 11 elderly participants (six male and five female
 mean age 71.1 ± 13.6?years) from an outpatient rehabilitation unit. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebrovascular accidents
 those able to walk without assistance
 and those able to understand our instructions. We measured the diaphragm thickness on both the paretic and non-paretic sides in each participant during maximum exhalation and inhalation during three laboured breaths by ultrasonography with a 7.5-MHz linear scanner. The liner scanner was placed on the eighth or ninth rib between the anterior and middle axillary lines. And their gait speed was measured during a 10?m walk. [Results] There was a strong positive correlation between gait speed and the ratio of diaphragm thickness between the paretic and the non-paretic sides during maximal inspiration. The other measured parameters did not show significant correlation with gait speed. [Conclusion] The symmetrical thickness of the diaphragm is a key factor in increasing gait speed in patients with hemiplegia. These findings may contribute to the development of trunk muscle strength-training programs that improve trunk function and gait speed in patients with hemiplegia.

Journal of physical therapy science

33

6

10.1589/jpts.33.450