Feasibility, reproducibility and validity of the 10 meter Shuttle Test in mild to moderately impaired people with stroke.

BACKGROUND: There currently is no field test available for measuring maximal exercise capacity in people with stroke. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility, reproducibility and validity of the Shuttle Test (ST) to measure exercise capacity in people with stroke. DESIGN: Longitudinal study design. SETTING: Rehabilitation department, day care centres from a nursing home and private practices specialized in neuro rehabilitation. SUBJECTS: People with subacute or chronic stroke. INTERVENTIONS: A standardized protocol was used to determine feasibility, reproducibility and validity of the 10-meter Shuttle Test (10mST). MAIN MEASURES: Number of shuttles completed, 1stVentilatory Threshold (1stVT). RESULTS: The associations of the number of shuttles completed and cardiopulmonary capacity as measured with a portable gas analyser were r > 0.7, confirming good convergent validity in subacute and chronic people with stroke. Criterion validity, however, indicates it is not a valid test for measuring maximal cardiopulmonary capacity (VO2max). Only 60% of participants were able to reach the 1stVT. Higher cardiopulmonary capacity and a higher total score of the lower extremity Motricity Index contributed significantly to a higher number of shuttles walked (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Shuttle Test may be a safe and useful exercise test for people after stroke, but may not be appropriate for use with people who walk slower than 2 km/h or 0.56 m/s.

Reproducibility of Different Methodologies to Calculate Oxygen Consumption and Oxygen Cost During Walking in Chronic Stroke Survivors.

OBJECTIVE: The most common methods to calculate energy costs are based on measured oxygen uptake during walking a standardized distance or time. Unfortunately, it is unclear which method is most reliable to determine energy cost of walking in stroke survivors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the 3 most commonly used methods for calculating oxygen consumption and -cost by assessing test-retest reliability and measurement error in community dwelling chronic stroke survivors during a 6 Minute Walk Test. METHODS: In this secondary analysis of a longitudinal study, reproducibility of the outcome of walking distance, walking speed, oxygen consumption and oxygen cost from 3 methods (Kendall's tau, assumed steady-state and total walking time oxygen consumption) were determined using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Standard Error of Measurement and Smallest Detectable Change. RESULTS: 20 from the 31 participants successfully performed the 6 minute walk test-retest within a timeframe of 1 month. Within the 2 tests the reproducibility of walking distance and walking speed was high. The 3 methods to determine reproducibility for oxygen cost and oxygen consumption were considered good (Kendall's tau), good (assumed steady-state) and excellent (total walking time). CONCLUSIONS: The method using oxygen consumption and -cost over the total walking time resulted in the highest reproducibility considering the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, its 95% Confidence Interval, and smaller absolute differences.

The role of postural control in the association between aerobic capacity and walking capacity in chronic stroke: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Reports on the association between aerobic capacity and walking capacity in people after stroke show disparate results. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine: 1) if the predictive validity of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for walking capacity post stroke is different from that of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and 2) if postural control, hemiplegic lower extremity muscle strength, age and gender distort the association between aerobic capacity and walking capacity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: General community in Utrecht, The Netherlands. POPULATION: Community-dwelling people more than three months after stroke. METHODS: Measurement of aerobic capacity were performed with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and differentiated between the achievement of VO2peak or VO2max. Measurement of walking capacity with the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), postural control with the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) and hemiplegic lower extremity muscle strength with the Motricity Index (MI-LE). RESULTS: Fifty-one out of 62 eligible participants, aged 64.7±12.5 years were included. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed a nonsignificant difference between the predictive validities of VO2max (N.=22, ß=0.56; 95% CI: 0.12-0.97) and VO2peak (N.=29, ß=0.72; 95% CI: 0.38-0.92). Multiple regression analysis of the pooled sample showed a significant decrease in the ß value of VO2peak (21.6%) for the 6MWT when adding the POMA as a covariate in the association model. VO2peak remained significantly related to 6MWT after correcting for the POMA (ß=0.56, 95% CI: 0.39-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest similar predictive validity of aerobic capacity for walking capacity in participants achieving VO2max compared to those only achieving VO2peak. Postural control confounds the association between aerobic capacity and walking capacity. Aerobic capacity remains a valid predictor of walking capacity. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Aerobic capacity is an important factor associated with walking capacity after stroke. However, to understand this relationship, postural control needs to be measured. Both aerobic capacity and postural control may need to be addressed during interventions aiming to improve walking capacity after stroke.

What's keeping people after stroke from walking outdoors to become physically active? A qualitative study, using an integrated biomedical and behavioral theory of functioning and disability.

BACKGROUND: In general people after stroke do not meet the recommendations for physical activity to conduct a healthy lifestyle. Programs to stimulate walking activity to increase physical activity are based on the available insights into barriers and facilitators to physical activity after stroke. However, these programs are not entirely successful. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore perceived barriers and facilitators to outdoor walking using a model of integrated biomedical and behavioral theory, the Physical Activity for people with a Disability model (PAD). METHODS: Included were community dwelling respondents after stroke, classified ≥ 3 at the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), purposively sampled regarding the use of healthcare. The data was collected triangulating in a multi-methods approach, i.e. semi-structured, structured and focus-group interviews. A primarily deductive thematic content analysis using the PAD-model in a framework-analysis' approach was conducted after verbatim transcription. RESULTS: 36 respondents (FAC 3-5) participated in 16 semi-structured interviews, eight structured interviews and two focus-group interviews. The data from the interviews covered all domains of the PAD model. Intention, ability and opportunity determined outdoor walking activity. Personal factors determined the intention to walk outdoors, e.g. negative social influence, resulting from restrictive caregivers in the social environment, low self-efficacy influenced by physical environment, and also negative attitude towards physical activity. Walking ability was influenced by loss of balance and reduced walking distance and by impairments of motor control, cognition and aerobic capacity as well as fatigue. Opportunities arising from household responsibilities and lively social constructs facilitated outdoor walking. CONCLUSION: To stimulate outdoor walking activity, it seems important to influence the intention by addressing social influence, self-efficacy and attitude towards physical activity in the development of efficient interventions. At the same time, improvement of walking ability and creation of opportunity should be considered.

Group therapy task training versus individual task training during inpatient stroke rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of intensive daily applied progressive group therapy task training with equally dosed individual progressive task training on self-reported mobility for patients with moderate to severe stroke during inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: In-patient rehabilitation center. SUBJECTS: A total of 73 subacute patients with stroke who were not able to walk without physical assistance at randomisation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were allocated to group therapy task training (GT) or individual task training (IT). Both interventions were intended to improve walking competency and comprised 30 sessions of 90 minutes over six weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome was the mobility domain of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS-3.0). Secondary outcomes were the other domains of SIS-3.0, standing balance, gait speed, walking distance, stair climbing, fatigue, anxiety and depression. RESULTS: No adverse events were reported in either arm of the trial. There were no significant differences between groups for the SIS mobility domain at the end of the intervention (Z= -0.26, P = 0.79). No significant differences between groups were found in gait speed improvements (GT:0.38 ±0.23; IT:0.26±0.35), any other gait related parameters, or in non-physical outcomes such as depression and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Inpatient group therapy task training for patients with moderate to severe stroke is safe and equally effective as a dose-matched individual task training therapy. Group therapy task training may be delivered as an alternative to individual therapy or as valuable adjunct to increase time spent in gait-related activities.

How strongly is aerobic capacity correlated with walking speed and distance after stroke? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of walking capacity, as reflected by walking speed and walking distance, is a primary goal after stroke. Peak aerobic capacity (peak oxygen consumption [V̇o2peak]) is suggested to be correlated with walking capacity after stroke. Although the strength of this correlation is unclear, physical therapy programs often target walking capacity by means of aerobic training. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence on the correlation between V̇o2peak and walking capacity. DATA SOURCES: The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus were searched up to May 2014. STUDY SELECTION: Cross-sectional studies reporting correlation coefficients between V̇o2peak and walking capacity in stroke were included, along with longitudinal studies reporting these correlation coefficients at baseline. DATA EXTRACTION: The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using a checklist of 27 items for observational research. Information on study design, stroke severity and recovery, and assessments and outcome of V̇o2peak and walking capacity, as well as the reported correlation coefficients, were extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen studies involving 454 participants were included. Meta-analyses showed combined correlation coefficients (rɱ) for V̇o2peak and walking speed and for V̇o2peak and walking distance of .42 (95% credibility interval=.31, .54) and .52 (95% credibility interval=.42, .62), respectively. LIMITATIONS: The studies included in the present review had small sample sizes and low methodological quality. Clinical and methodological diversity challenged the comparability of the included studies, despite statistical homogeneity. Relevant data of 3 studies could not be retrieved. CONCLUSIONS: The strength of the correlation of V̇o2peak with walking speed was low and moderate for V̇o2peak and walking distance, respectively, indicating that other factors, besides V̇o2peak, determine walking capacity after stroke.

Clinimetric properties of a novel feedback device for assessing gait parameters in stroke survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Community-dwelling stroke survivors tend to become less physically active over time. There is no 'gold standard' to measure walking activity in this population. Assessment of walking activity generally involves subjective or observer-rated instruments. Objective measuring with an activity monitor, however, gives more insight into actual walking activity. Although several activity monitors have been used in stroke patients, none of these include feedback about the actual walking activity. FESTA (FEedback to Stimulate Activity) determines number of steps, number of walking bouts, covered distance and ambulatory activity profiles over time and also provides feedback about the walking activity to the user and the therapist. AIM: To examine the criterion validity and test-retest-reliability of the FESTA as a measure of walking activity in patients with chronic stroke. To target the properties of the measurement device itself and thus exclude effects of behavioral variability as much as possible evaluation was performed in standardized activities. METHODS: Community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke were tested twice with a test-retest interval varying from two days to two weeks. They performed a six-minute walk test and a standardized treadmill test at different speeds on both testing days. Walking activity was expressed in gait parameters: steps, mean-step-length and walking distance. Output data of the FESTA on the treadmill was compared with video analysis as the criterion measurement. Intraclass Correlations Coefficients (ICCs) and Mean Relative Root Squared Error (MRRSE) were calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were tested to determine criterion validity, 27 patients of this group were tested twice for test-retest reliability. ICC values for validity and reliability were high, ranging from .841 to .972. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated good criterion validity and test-retest-reliability of FESTA for measuring specific gait parameters in chronic stroke patients. FESTA is a valid and reliable tool for capturing walking activity measurements in stroke, and has applicability to both clinical practice and research.

Cross-cultural adaptation to the Dutch language of the PainDETECT-Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The PainDETECT-Questionnaire (PDQ) helps to identify neuropathic components in patients suffering from pain. It can be used by clinicians in daily practice and in clinical trials. AIM: The aim of this study is to perform a translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PDQ for use in the Netherlands and Belgium. METHODS: The first phase was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the PDQ to Dutch. The second phase was to assess the face validity in the Netherlands and Belgium using qualitative and quantitative data collection. RESULTS: The length, the readability, and the clarity of the questionnaire were good for all patients. The questionnaire was judged to have a good layout and to be clearly organized. CONCLUSION: The PDQ Dutch language Version is a well translated and cross-culturally adapted questionnaire, which might be useful for screening for neuropathic components of pain in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Effects of a high-intensity task-oriented training on gait performance early after stroke: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and the effects on gait of a high intensity task-oriented training, incorporating a high cardiovascular workload and large number of repetitions, in patients with subacute stroke, when compared to a low intensity physiotherapy-programme. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Randomized controlled clinical trial: Forty-four patients with stroke were recruited at 2 to 8 weeks after stroke onset. MEASURES: Maximal gait speed assessed with the 10-metre timed walking test (10MTWT), walking capacity assessed with the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Control of standing balance assessed with the Berg Balance Scale and the Functional Reach test. Group differences were analysed using a Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Between-group analysis showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the high intensity task-oriented training in performance on the 10MTWT (Z = -2.13, P = 0.03) and the 6MWT (Z = -2.26, P = 0.02). No between-group difference were found for the Berg Balance Scale (Z = -0.07, P = 0.45) and the Functional Reach test (Z = -0.21, P = 0.84). CONCLUSION: A high-intensity task-oriented training programme designed to improve hemiplegic gait and physical fitness was feasible in the present study and the effectiveness exceeds a low intensity physiotherapy-programme in terms of gait speed and walking capacity in patients with subacute stroke. In a future study, it seems appropriate to additionally use measures to evaluate physical fitness and energy expenditure while walking.