Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate which measures of physical impairments of both upper
extremity (UE) and lower extremity (LE) would predict restrictions in
participation with 105 community-dwelling stroke subjects. METHODS: For this
cross-sectional, exploratory study, participation was assessed by the daily
activity and social role domains of the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H). The potential predictors included measures of physical impairments (UE and LE motor
recovery, sensation, motor coordination, and strength deficits). RESULTS:
Step-wise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that, for the daily
activity domain, LE strength deficits and UE motor recovery explained 28% of the
variance in the LIFE-H scores and LE strength deficits alone explained 22% (F =
29.5; p< .0001). For the social role domain, LE strength deficits and sensation
explained 22% of the variance in the LIFE-H scores and LE strength deficits alone
explained 16% (F = 20.6; p< .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Strength deficits of the LE
muscles were the physical impairment variables that best predicted participation
in both daily activity and social role domains of the LIFE-H. Although
significant, UE motor recovery and LE sensation added little to the explained
variance. Future research is needed to determine whether progressive resistance
strength training program enhances participation after stroke. Implications for
Rehabilitation Residual strength deficits of the LE muscles were the physical
impairments that showed to be the main predictors of restrictions in
participation, as determined by the daily activity and social role domains of the
LIFE-H 3.1. It is possible that stroke individuals would benefit from physical
interventions aiming at improving the strength of the LE muscles, when the goal
is to enhance participation.

Langue : ANGLAIS