Baseline walking ability as an indicator of overall walking ability and ADL at 3, 6, and 12 months after acute stroke

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate to what extent baseline walking ability was predictive of activity levels and if categorising into groups of ability or capacity was equally informative.

Methods

The data were collected from a randomised controlled study where the results were neutral. The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00311025. The sample (n = 75) was divided at baseline into two models of sub-groups, one related to ability based on the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), the other to capacity based on maximal gait speed: ≤0.4, 0.5 − 0.8 and ≥0.8 m/s. Outcome measures used were 6-min Walk-Test, Motor assessment Scale 5 and Barthel Index (BI). Tests were performed baseline on admission, at discharge, 3, 6, and 12 months post debut.

Results

Both models of walking, ability (FAC) or capacity (gait speed) were significant contributors to BI independence at 3, 6, and 12 months. The capacity model was explanatory for the independence of ADL function with 58, 49, and 54%, respectively, and the ability model was slightly less explanatory with a prediction of 56, 49, and 44%, respectively.

Conclusion

Baseline walking ability is predictive for independence in ADL, and a quantitative evaluation may be preferable for accuracy.

Keywords:

• Cross-sectional study
• rehabilitation
• evidence based physiotherapy/medicine
• EBMt
• gait
• walking ability

Author contributions

Author BL has given substantial contributions to the conception and the design of the manuscript, as well as acquisition, analysis and interpretation of the data author BL and author JKS to analysis and interpretation of the data. All authors have participated to drafting the manuscript, author BL and JKS revised it critically. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organisation regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors report no involvement in the research by the sponsor that could have influenced the outcome of this work.