Correlation Analysis Among Proprioception, Gait Symmetry, and Balance Ability in Patients With Chronic Stroke

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the correlation between knee joint proprioception and both balance ability and gait asymmetry in chronic hemiparetic stroke.Methods: The study included 22 patients with chronic stroke, all of whom were past the 6-month post-onset mark.Knee joint proprioception was assessed by measuring the Joint Position Sense (JPS) error using an image capture system, while balance and gait ability were measured using the Zebris FDM-T treadmill.Balance ability was evaluated using the 95% confidence ellipse area (95% CEA), center of pressure (COP) length, and COP average velocity.Gait performance was evaluated using step length, step time, length of gait line, and single support line.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between variables.The statistical significance level was set at = .05.Results: A statistically significant positive correlation was found between knee joint proprioception (JPS) and the step length symmetry index (r = .432,p<.05).Furthermore, the center of pressure (COP) excursion length (r = -.447,p<.05) and COP average velocity (r = -.458,p<.05) exhibited a statistically significant, moderate negative correlation with the gait line symmetry index.Conclusion: This study confirmed that knee joint proprioception in chronic stroke patients did not show a statistically significant correlation with static balance ability, but it did show a significant correlation with gait asymmetry.This result suggests that knee proprioception may be more closely related to dynamic coordination during the gait cycle than to static postural maintenance.Therefore, this finding can be utilized as evidence to support the application of knee proprioception enhancement training in rehabilitation programs aimed at improving gait symmetry in chronic stroke patients.