Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Walking Characteristics in Community-Dwelling Ambulatory Stroke Survivors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijpot.v15i4.16495Keywords:
Ambulation, Community-Dwelling, Spatiotemporal Gait,Stroke Survivors, Walking CharacteristicsAbstract
Background: Gait dysfunction is a major sequalae of stroke which negatively affect stroke survivors’
walking and community re-integration. Understanding the impairments that determine their community
functioning willassist in development of effective treatment strategies for them to overcome their
disability.
Aim: The aim of the study was to explore thespatiotemporal gait parameters and walking characteristics
in community-dwelling ambulatory stroke survivors and determined howthey differ across time of
commencement of ambulation and duration of ambulation post-stroke.
Method: This study involved 164 (83males) community-dwelling ambulatory stroke survivors in
Kano, Nigeria. The spatiotemporal gait parameters wereassessed along 12-meter distance walking
path. Spatiotemporal symmetry was computed from the spatiotemporal parameters. Lower limb motor
impairment, lower extremity function, and functional ambulation were assessed using Fugyl-Meyer
assessment scale, Lower Extremity Functional scale, and Modified Emory functional ambulatory
profile respectively. Their physical mobility was assessed using Modified Rivermead mobility index,
walking confidence using ambulatory self-confidence questionnaire while Berg balance scale was used
to measure balance. Functional mobility and walking endurance was assessed using the Time up and
go test and 6-minute walk test respectively.Walking status was assessed with functional ambulatory
category.
Results: The participants were aged30years and abovewith 61% above 50years. Most (59.8%)
participants commenced ambulation within 1-month of stroke with 65.9% being independent in
functional ambulation. Their spatiotemporal, mobility and balance parameters as well as spatiotemporal
symmetry characteristics were severely affected and are significantly inversely related to their times of
commencement of ambulation post-stroke.
Conclusion: Spatiotemporal gait parameters, mobility parametersand balance performances are
severely abnormal in community-dwelling stroke survivors and negatively impact on their walking
ability and community functioning.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Jibrin Sammani Usman, Caleb Ademola Omuwa Gbiri, Olajide Ayinla Olawale
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.