Effect of elbow-wrist functional orthosis on plantar pressure and balance function in stroke patients with hemiple-gia
WU Cheng
ZHANG Yunfeng
WANG Weining
YU Kewei
ZHANG Yanzheng
SHEN Jiarong
WU Yi
Abstract：Objective To explore the effect of elbow-wrist functional orthosis on plantar pressure distribution and balance function in stroke patients with hemiplegia.
Methods From June,2024 to April,2025,60 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were recruited from Huashan Hospi-tal,Fudan University,and Shanghai Hebin Rehabilitation Hospital.They were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and intervention group(n=30).The control group received routine neurological rehabilitation,while the intervention group received additional training with an elbow-wrist functional orthosis on the affected side,for eight weeks.Before and after intervention,the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)of the elbow joint,plan-tar pressure symmetry index(SI),plantar contact area and mean plantar pressure were recorded,and balance and mobility were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale(BBS),Timed Up&Go Test(TUGT)and 10-Meter Walk Test(10MWT).
Results Two cases dropped out in the control group.After treatment,MAS grades of the elbow joint,forefoot SI,affect-ed side plantar pressure area,BBS scores,TUGT and 10MWT of both groups improved(|Z|>3.969,|t|>3.528,P<0.01),while the hindfoot SI and average pressure of the affected foot improved in the intervention group(∣t∣>4.264,P<0.001).Except for TUGT and 10MWT,the intervention group was superior to the control group(∣Z∣>2.030,∣t∣>2.096,P<0.05).
Conclusion The elbow-wrist functional orthosis can enhance balance function in stroke patients with hemiplegia by re-ducing upper-limb spasticity,optimizing center-of-gravity distribution,and improving postural control.
Keywords：strokehemiplegiaorthosisplantar pressurelower limb motor function
Publication Date：2026-01-25
Online Publishing Date：2026-02-04(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 30-39 )