Objective
To measure the foot force and contact area distribution between the paretic and nonparetic sides during static and dynamic weight-bearing states, and to determine their relationship with BMD (bone mineral density). Method: Sixteen stroke patients (mean age=63.5±7.46 years) were included and BMDs of bilateral femurs were evaluated. Foot force and total foot contact areas were measured using the F-scan insole system. All values were expressed in ratio of paretic versus nonparetic sides. Results: The paretic side showed significantly smaller values in BMD, foot force and total contact area than the nonparetic sides (p<0.05). Femoral BMD ratio correlated significantly with dynamic weight bearing force ratio (r=0.58, p<0.05) and time elapsed since stroke as well (r=-0.17, p<0.05), while it did not correlate with either static weight-bearing force ratio (r=0.25, p>0.05), or total contact area ratio during both dynamic and static weight-bearing state (r=0.23, r=0.12, p>0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that dynamic weight-bearing force ratio and time elapsed since stroke were independently related to BMD ratio (t=3.25, p<0.001 and t=-4.89, p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that foot force differences in the dynamic weight- bearing state significantly correlated to post-stroke BMD while foot contact area in both the static and dynamic weight-bearing state did not correlate to post-stroke BMD. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2009; 33: 165-171)
