Gait, balance, and functional independence level in stroke patients

Introduction: Most stroke patients present limited movement, which alters gait speed and balance. This study aimed to correlate balance and gait speed, and weight distribution and balance in post-stroke patients.Methods: In total, 36 participants were included. Data collection occurred as follows: filling out the assessment form; assessment with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); assessment with the baropodometric platform; performing the 10 Meter Walk Test (10mWT) with accelerometer; measurements with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS); the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC); and the Barthel Index (BI).Results: A negative correlation between FAC and mRS (r = −0.708; p < 0.05) and between BI and mRS (r = −0.716; p < 0.05) was found. The correlation between BI and FAC was positive (r = 0.591). There was a strong positive correlation between the 10mWT values and the BBS score (r = 0.708; p < 0.05). Moreover, a weak negative correlation was observed between BBS values and lower limb weight distribution (r = −0.378; p < 0.05).Conclusion: We found a correlation between the functional ambulation and the degree of independence.This study showed that the better the balance, the greater the gait speed, and the lower the difference on lower limbs weight distribution, the better the balance in post-stroke patients.

Equilíbrio e força de membros inferiores correlacionam-se com velocidade de marcha em pacientes com AVC: um estudo observacional / Balance and lower limb strength correlate with gait speed in stroke patients: an observational study

INTRODUÇÃO: A marcha e o equilíbrio são frequentemente comprometidos após lesões cerebrais como o Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC). OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a força dos membros inferiores e o equilíbrio em apoio unipodal no membro parético com a velocidade de marcha em pacientes com AVC. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo observacional transversal. Indivíduos de ambos os sexos com diagnóstico de AVC atendidos no Ambulatório de Neurovascular do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, que conseguissem permanecer em ortostase por dois minutos sem auxílio e com marcha domiciliar com ou sem auxílio de dispositivos de marcha, foram avaliados quanto a força muscular de MsIs, por meio do Teste de Sentar e Levantar em 30 segundos (TSL30s); avaliação do equilíbrio pelo Teste de Apoio Unipodal (AU) e da velocidade da marcha pelo Teste de Caminhada de 10 metros (TC10m) com auxílio de um acelerômetro fixado na região de L5. RESULTADOS: Dos trinta e quatro indivíduos avaliados, 67,6% eram do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 60,5 (± 13,6) anos. A velocidade de marcha confortável média foi 1,01 ± 0,31 m/s, a média no TSL30s foi 9 ± 2,94 repetições e o tempo médio de apoio no membro inferior acometido foi de 4,11 ± 10,43 segundos. Houve correlação dos valores no TC10m com o tempo de permanência no lado acometido (r=0,563 p<0,001) e com o número de repetições no TSL30s (r=0,667 p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Quanto maior a força muscular dos MsIs e o equilíbrio em apoio unipodal sobre o membro inferior acometido, maior a velocidade de marcha nos pacientes com AVC.

BACKGROUND: Gait and balance are often compromised after brain injuries such as stroke. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the lower limb muscle strength walking speed, and balance in unipedal support on a paretic limb with gait speed in stroke patients. METHODS: This study employed a correlational design. Individuals of both genders with a stroke diagnosis were seen at the Neurovascular Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, who were able to remain in orthostasis for two minutes without assistance and with walking at home with or without the aid of walking devices. The Sit-to-stand test for 30 seconds (STS 30s) was used to examine muscle strength of lower limbs; the balance was measured using the Unipedal Support Test (UST) and walking speed with 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) and used an accelerometer around the waist of the subject. RESULTS: A total of 34 subjects were evaluated, 67.6% female and mean age 60.5 (± 13.6) years. The average comfortable walking speed was 1.01 ± 0.31 m/s, the average in the STS 30s was 9 ± 2.94 repetitions, and the average support time on the affected lower limb was 4.11 ± 10.43 seconds. In addition, there was a correlation between the values in the 10MWT and the length of stay on the affected side (r=0.563 p<0.001) and with the number of repetitions in the STS 30s (r=0.667 p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The greater the muscle strength of the lower limbs and the balance in unipedal support on the affected lower limb, the greater the gait speed in stroke patients.