Gait asymmetry in stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect

The recovery of independent gait represents one of the main functional goals of the rehabilitative interventions after stroke but it can be hindered by the presence of unilateral spatial neglect (USN). The aim of the paper is to study if the presence of USN in stroke patients affects lower limb gait parameters between the two body sides, differently from what could be expected by the motor impairment alone, and to explore whether USN is associated to specific gait asymmetry. Thirty-five stroke patients (right or left lesion and ischemic or hemorrhagic etiology) who regained independent gait were assessed for global cognitive functioning and USN. All patients underwent a gait analysis session by using a wearable inertial system, kinematic parameters were computed. Enrolled patients presented altered motion parameters. Stroke patients with USN showed specific asymmetries in the following parameters: stance phase, swing phase, and knee range of motion. No differences in the clinical scores were found as the presence of USN. The presence of USN was associated with a specific form of altered gait symmetry. These findings may help clinicians to develop more tailored rehabilitative training to enhance gait efficacy of patients with motor defects complicated by the presence of selected cognitive impairments.