Article

OBJECTIVES: To determine if individuals with chronic stroke were able to sustain
their peak gait speed during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and to explore this
sustainability across community ambulation potential subgroups. DESIGN:
Prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: University-based research laboratory,
hospitals, and stroke support groups. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of individuals with
chronic stroke (N=48) completed a series of questionnaires and physical outcome
measures, including gait mat assessment, during a single visit. INTERVENTIONS:
Not applicable; 1-time cross-sectional data collection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
During the 6MWT, we measured peak gait speed and end gait speed to assess
sustainability, along with beginning gait speed, total distance walked, and
rating of perceived exertion. We also assessed maximum gait speed during the
10-meter walk test (10MWT). Finally, we examined these gait outcomes across the
subgroups. RESULTS: During the 6MWT, peak gait speed declined from .89m/s
(SD=.38) to an end speed of .82m/s (SD=.36), whereas perceived exertion increased
from 7.7 (SD=2.6) to 11.8 (SD=3.6). This peak gait speed was slower than the
10MWT maximum speed of 1.06m/s (SD=.51), but faster than the 6MWT beginning speed
of .81m/s (SD=.34). The unlimited community ambulator subgroup was the primary
contributor to sustainability differences. CONCLUSIONS: Predicting community
ambulation potential based on the discrete gait speed from the 10MWT and
endurance based on the average from the 6MWT might be incomplete if gait speed
sustainability is not also assessed.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS