Somatosensory functions of ambulatory individuals with stroke related obviously with mobility without upper limb contribution

Abstract

Background

There is limited evidence regarding the proportion of somatosensory deficits and their contribution to mobility, particularly in relation to independence and safety among ambulatory individuals with stroke from a developing country.

Objectives

To report the proportion of somatosensory deficits, and investigate the relationship between sensorimotor deficits and mobility outcomes among individuals with stroke who walked with or without a walking device.

Methods

Eighty participants, with an average age of approximately 60 years both male and female, were cross-sectionally assessed for their sensorimotor functions, and mobility using the 10-meter walk test, timed up and go test (TUG), five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), and 6-min walk test. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r_s) was used to analyze the correlation between sensorimotor and mobility outcomes.

Results

Nearly 60% of the participants experienced somatosensory deficits (5 absent and 42 impaired sensation). A large proportion of these individuals walked with a walking device (42.6%). Mobility outcomes indicated that these participants walked non-functionally with high risk of fall and low functional endurance. The motor scores were strongly correlated with the TUG data (r_s = −0.719, p < 0.01), whereas the somatosensory scores were related predominantly to the FTSST data (r_s = −0.520, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Somatosensory impairments are common among ambulatory individuals with stroke. These impairments were primarily associated with mobility performed without hands. Therefore, rehabilitation strategies should target somatosensory alongside motor functions to enhance independence and safety, especially when therapeutic goals involve mobility without upper limb contribution.