Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body
mass index (BMI) and change in motor impairment and functional mobility after a
gait rehabilitation intervention in chronic stroke subjects.
DESIGN: Correlation
and linear regression analyses of pretreatment and end-of-treatment Fugl-Meyer
scores and modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile scores from hemiparetic
subjects (n = 108, >3 mos post stroke) who participated in a randomized
controlled trial comparing two 12-wk ambulation training treatments were
generated. RESULTS: A series of linear regression models that controlled for age,
sex, stroke type, interval post-stroke, and training device found the change in
the Fugl-Meyer score to be significantly negatively associated with pretreatment
BMI (beta = -0.207, P = 0.036) and the change in the "up and go" modified Emory
Functional Ambulation Profile score to be significantly positively associated
with BMI (beta = 0.216,
P = 0.03). Changes in modified Emory Functional
Ambulation Profile scores in floor, carpet, obstacles, or stair climbing were not
significantly associated with BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic stroke subjects with a
higher BMI were less likely to demonstrate improvement in motor impairment and up
and go functional mobility performance in response to ambulation training,
irrespective of treatment intervention. Stroke rehabilitation clinicians should
consider BMI when formulating rehabilitation goals. Further studies are necessary
to determine whether obesity is a predictor of longer-term post-stroke motor and
functional recovery.

Langue : ANGLAIS