Effect of residual lower-extremity function on strategies and execution time for raising and lowering trousers in patients with hemiparetic stroke: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background/aims There are no established methods for patients with hemiparetic stroke to practice the raising and lowering of trousers. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of different strategies by patients with hemiparetic stroke for lowering and raising trousers by using the non-paretic upper limb in the standing position, based on residual motor function in the paretic lower limb. Methods A total of 28 patients with hemiparetic stroke were included in the study (n=10, 12, and 6 with lower-limb Brunnstrom stages III, IV and V respectively). Endpoints were execution time and frequency of changing the manipulation region. Results Lower-limb Brunnstrom stages III, IV and V were associated with execution times of 24.1 ± 11.1, 18.1 ± 6.5 and 16.9 ± 9.6 seconds respectively, and the mean frequency of manipulation of trousers on the posterior paretic side was significantly lower than those of the anterior paretic, anterior non-paretic, and posterior non-paretic sides in all patients (P<0.05). Conclusions Motor function of the paretic lower limb did not affect the strategies used for lowering and raising trousers with the non-paretic upper limb. Manipulation of trousers on the posterior paretic side was especially difficult.