Characteristics of plantar pressure during walking in stroke patients with hemiplegia of different brunnstrom stages: a study based on five-region smart insoles

Plantar pressure measurement is frequently employed to assess the gait characteristics of stroke patients. This study developed a gait assessment system for stroke patients utilizing a self-developed five-region smart insole, with the goal of objectively evaluating their gait characteristics. A total of 75 stroke patients (14 at Brunnstrom stage III, 18 at stage IV, 27 at stage V, and 16 at stage VI) and 24 healthy subjects (designated "Health") were recruited. A smart insole was used to collect the subjects' gait parameters and plot plantar pressure curves. The results showed the following: (1) There were statistically significant differences among the five groups in the durations of the gait cycle, the double support phase, the bilateral single support phases, and the swing phase, as well as in the ratio of peak pressure to body weight for the bilateral toe bone regions, medial metatarsal regions, lateral metatarsal regions, and heel regions. No statistically significant differences were found in the bilateral arch peak pressure-to-body weight ratio among the five groups. (2) Each of the five subject groups exhibited a unique plantar pressure curve profile. The smart insole used in this study can provide objective gait assessment for stroke patients and effectively differentiate the gait characteristics of patients at different Brunnstrom stages.