Relationship between sensory disturbance in the affected lower limb and the walking speed of hemiplegic patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sensory disturbance in the affected lower limb and the walking speed of hemiplegic patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two patients who were suffering from their first stroke participated in this study. The subjects had mild motor damage to be investigated the influence of sensory disturbance on walking. Assessments of kinesthesis and touch sensation were performed. Each sensory disturbance of the patients was graded as either normal, slight, moderate, or severe. The relationships between walking speed and the severity of the sensory disturbance for each test were investigated. [Results] There were no significant correlations with walking speed and the severity of the sensory disturbance in both kinesthesis and touch sensation. [Conclusion] Walking speed is not influenced by severity of the sensory disturbance in the affected lower limb.