Article

The ability to ascend and descend a flight of stairs is
considered as one of the best predictors of free-living activity and is
correlated with domestic extrinsic activity in hemiparetic patients. However, the
relationship between timed-stair performance and clinical and biomechanical
parameters has never been studied this population. The aim of this study was to
determine if performance on the Timed Up and Down Stairs (TUDS) test was related
to clinical variables (maximal gait speed, strength and spasticity) and to
biomechanical gait parameters (spatio-temporal, kinematic and kinetic gait
parameters) in hemiparetic patients. METHODS: Sixty hemiparetic patients
performed the TUDS test, underwent 3D gait-analysis and a clinical assessment.
Pearson's correlations and two stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were
carried out to identify the parameters which were the most highly correlated with
TUDS test performance among the clinical variables and gait parameters on the
paretic side. RESULTS: Maximal walking speed on the 10-m walk test and strength
of the ankle dorsiflexors were the clinical variables that were the most related
to TUDS test performance (63% of variance explained). The percentage of single
support phase on the paretic side was the biomechanical gait parameter which was
the most related to TUDS test performance (58% of variance explained).
CONCLUSION: The results of this study identified three parameters which predicted
the performance to ascend and descend a flight of stairs as fast as possible in
hemiparetic patients. Rehabilitation programs which aim to improve stair
performance and independence in daily life activities should focus on these three
parameters.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS