The effects of different attentional focus on poststroke gait

Abstract

Attention may influence the motor performance of poststroke patients. The attentional focus implies "where" attention is focused while performing a specific movement. Focusing attention on the inside of the body while performing a specific exercise is called an internal focus (IF) and focus on the external environment is called an external focus (EF). This study examined the effect of attention on the gait of patients with chronic stroke. Sixteen subjects voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects were guided to walk while maintaining the required attentional focus, which is control, IF, and EF condition. Dependent variables were as follows: step length, stride length, step width, 10-m walk time, and weight distribution on the paretic limb. The results are as follows. First, the step length and the stride length were observed to be longer in the EF condition. Second, 10-m walk time was faster in EF condition. Third, under the EF condition, more weight was applied to the paretic limb. We suggest that EF instruction useful to improve the poststroke gait.

Keywords: Attention; Gait; Hemiplegia; Stroke.

Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1

Spatiotemporal parameter of poststroke gait as different of attentional focus. (A) Step length. (B) Stride length. (C) Step width. IF, internal focus; EF, external focus. *P<0.05.

Fig. 2

Ten-meter walk time of poststroke gait as different of attentional focus. IF, internal focus; EF, external focus. *P<0.05.

Fig. 3

Weight distribution of poststroke gait as different attentional focus. IF, internal focus; EF, external focus. *P<0.05.