The aim of this study was to determine whether improving the awareness of a body part and its interaction with a base of support (BOS) will consequently influence the internal postural representation required for postural orientation (PO) and postural control (PC). It was hypothesised that by improving PO and PC, compensation strategies seen in sitting, standing and gait following stroke would subsequently reduce.
Two male 66 year old patients (Patient A and B) were chosen for this study. Both suffered CVAs in July 2008. Both displayed somatosensory deficits, poor interaction with the BOS and compensation strategies when sitting, standing or during gait. Consent was given by both subjects using the form in Appendix 2. The theories of muscle alignment, muscle length, orientation of body segments in the kinematic chain, somatosensory information and body schema were explored within the literature review. Both patients were treated with approaches underpinning the Bobath Concept.
Outcome Measures were utilised to depict changes before and after treatment. These included photographic analysis and movement analysis for both patients. Postural measurements and 10m timed walk were only used for Patient A. Results after treatment showed a reduction in both patients’ compensation strategies. This study therefore suggests that by improving the awareness of and interaction of a body part with a BOS can reduce compensatory strategies in sitting, standing and gait.
