Correlation analysis of lower limb proprioceptive impairment with gait and motor function after stroke

HANG Xuemin; WANG Yisen; GUO Dan; ZHANG Yaru; ZHANG Qun; ZHANG Ying; WANG Chunfang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-266X.2025.11.001

Abstract：Objective To investigate the correlation between lower limb proprioceptive impairment and gait and mo-tor function following stroke,providing reference for clinical rehabilitation of stroke patients.Methods Fifty-five stroke patients with lower limb dysfunction who could walk independently were enrolled.The baseline assessment(T1)was con-ducted at approximately 2 weeks post-onset,with the second assessment(T2)at approximately 6 weeks post-onset.Knee and ankle position sense and movement sense tests were administered.Additionally,gait parameters including walking speed,spatial gait symmetry(SGS),temporal gait symmetry(TGS),Fugl-Meyer assessment for the lower extremity(FMA-LE)scores,and Timed Up and Go Test(TUGT)were recorded.The difference(Δ)between T2 and T1 values for each indicator was calculated.Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationship between baseline low-er limb proprioceptive indicators and baseline gait and motor function indicators,between Δ proprioception and Δ gait and motor function indicators,and between baseline proprioception and Δ gait and motor function indicators.Results Pear-son correlation analysis revealed that baseline knee and ankle position sense were positively correlated with walking speed(r=0.006 and 0.048,respectively;both P<0.05);baseline knee and ankle kinesthesia were positively correlated with TGS(r=0.016 and 0.035,respectively;both P<0.05).Δ knee position sense and Δ knee/ankle kinesthesia were neg-atively correlated with Δ walking speed(r=-0.381 and-0.301,respectively;both P<0.05);Δ ankle kinesthesia was positively correlated with Δ SGS(r=0.317,P<0.05)and was negatively correlated with Δ FMA-LE score(r=-0.348,P<0.05);Δankle position sense and Δknee/ankle kinesthesia were both positively correlated with ΔTUGT(r=0.286,0.362,and 0.367,respectively;all P<0.05);baseline knee kinesthesia was negatively correlated with ΔTGS(r=-0.243,P<0.05),while baseline ankle kinesthesia was negatively correlated with ΔTUGT(r=-0.237,P<0.05).Conclusions Post-stroke lower limb kinesthesia impairment,particularly at the ankle joint,is closely associated with reduced gait temporal symmetry and walking efficiency.Improvement in kinesthesia and proprioception within 6 weeks can concurrently promote walking speed,gait symmetry,and lower limb functional recovery.