Article

Muscle weakness in the lower limbs and impeded gait performance are
common in persons with late effects of polio. OBJECTIVE: To assess self-reported
walking ability in persons with late effects of polio and determine the
relationship with objectively assessed gait performance. METHODS: One-hundred and
twenty-two individuals with prior polio (65 women and 57 men, mean age 65 [SD +/-
9] years) participated in the study. The main outcome measures were: Walk-12
(Swedish version) to assess self-reported walking ability, and Timed "Up & Go",
Comfortable Gait Speed, Fast Gait Speed and 6-Minute Walk Tests to assess gait
performance objectively. RESULTS: More than 50% of the participants reported
limitations (moderately or quite a bit) related to standing or walking, climbing
stairs, walking speed and distance, concentration and effort, and gait quality
aspects. Half of the participants reported no need to use support when walking
indoors or outdoors, but 58% reported that their ability to run was extremely
limited. Significant correlations (P < 0.01) were found between the Walk-12 and
the four gait performance tests (rho -0.66 to 0.63). CONCLUSION: The strength of
the relationship implies that Walk-12 reflects broader dimensions than the
objective gait performance tests and can be a complement when the walking ability
in persons with late effects of polio is evaluated.

Langue : ANGLAIS