A comparison of at-home walking and 10-meter walking test parameters of individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 357 - 359
• Main Authors: Nagano, Katsuhito, Hori, Hideaki, Muramatsu, Ken
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 01.02.2015
• Subjects: At-home walking; Original; Step rate; Stride length; Step rate; Stride length; At-home walking
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.27.357

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the difference in gait parameters of at-home walking and the 10-meter walking test results of individuals with hemiparesis. [Subjects] A total of 14 hemiparetic stroke recovery patients participated in this study. Inclusion criteria were: living at home, the ability to walk independently, and demonstrated low extremity on recovery stages III–V on the Brunnstrom Approach. The average age of the subjects was 66 years. [Methods] We used video surveillance and the inked footprint technique to record usual walking speed and maximum speed patterns both in subjects’ homes and during the 10-meter walking test. From these methods, walking speed, stride length, and step rate were calculated. [Results] While both usual and maximum walking speeds of the 10-meter walking test correlated with stride length and step rate, at-home walking speeds only significantly correlated with stride length. [Conclusion] Walking patterns of the 10-meter walking test are quantifiably distinct from those demonstrated in patients’ homes, and this difference is mainly characterized by stride length. In order to enhance in-home walking ability, exercises that improve length of stride rather than step rate should be recommended.