Abstract
Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of adjusting leg length inequality(LLI) by chuna manual treatment for post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods : 39 patients with stroke-originated hemiplegia who had leg length inequality were included in this study. Chuna manual treatment at pelvic girdle was applied to 20 patients and they had been treated by general oriental rehabilitation therapy(test group). The other 19 patients had been treated by general oriental rehabilitation therapy only(control group). Outcomes were assessed by Modified Barthel Index(MBI), Berg Balance Scale(BBS), lower extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA) at the point of beginning and end of the study. Results : 1. In terms of activity of daily living(ADL), test group showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group(p<0.05). In subacute group(onset had been past under 6 months), test group didn't showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group. In chronic group(onset had been past over 6 months), test group didn't showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group. 2. In terms of lower extremity function and balance, test group showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group(p<0.05). In subacute group, test group didn't showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group. In chronic group, test group showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group(p<0.01). 3. In terms of lower extremity function of hemiplegic side, test group showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group(p<0.05). In subacute group, test group didn't showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group. In chronic group, test group showed statistically meaningful differences compared to control group(p<0.05). Coclusions : Adjusting LLI by chuna manual treatment is efficacious for rehabilitation of stroke-originated hemiplegia, in terms of ADL, balance and lower extremity function, and is especially efficacious for chronic patients.