Comparison of the amplitudes of the H-reflex of post-stroke hemiplegia patients and normal adults during walking

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare H-reflex characteristics during gait of hemiplegic stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty-five patients and age-matched twenty-five volunteers in good health were studied. All the subjects could walk independently. [Methods] An MP150 (BIOPAC Systems, Inc., Goleta, CA, USA) was used to record the electromyography (EMG) data collected with Ag-Ag/Cl measurement electrodes (BIOPAC, diameter of 2 cm). [Results] The comparison showed significant differences of Hmax/Mmax ratio (%) in all gait cycles between the stroke group and the control group. [Conclusion] In conclusion, this study furnished basic reference data for gait strategies and functional training programs for hemiplegic stroke patients.