Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess self-reported walking ability in individuals with chronic
stroke and to determine the relationship with gait performance tests. DESIGN:
Descriptive analysis of a convenience sample. SETTING: A university hospital
rehabilitation medicine clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty ambulatory community-dwelling
poststroke individuals (mean age, 64 years [range, 44-74 years] and mean time
since stroke onset 42 months [range, 6-101 months]).
The Walking Impact Scale (the Walk-12) to assess self-reported walking ability, and
the Timed "Up & Go" test, 10-m Comfortable Gait Speed and Fast Gait Speed tests, and 6-Minute Walk Test to assess gait performance. RESULTS: A majority of the
participants (94%) reported limitations in their walking ability. The most common
limitations were related to standing or walking, walking speed and distance,
effort, and gait quality aspects. The ability to run was reported as most
affected, whereas the need for support indoors or outdoors was least affected.
Significant correlations (P < .01) were found between the Walk-12 and the 4 gait performance tests (rho = -0.60 to 0.60). CONCLUSIONS : Persons with chronic stroke
perceive limitations in their walking ability. The relationship between the
Walk-12 and the 4 gait performance tests indicates that self-reports and
quantitative assessments are associated. Because the Walk-12 reflects broader
dimensions than the gait performance tests, it can be a complementary tool when
walking ability in persons with chronic stroke is evaluated.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS