Analysis of consistency between temporospatial gait parameters and gait assessment with the use of Wisconsin Gait Scale in post-stroke patients

Introduction Due to the increasing incidence and social effects of stroke there is a growing interest in finding methods enabling gait analysis in this group of patients. Observational techniques are predominantly applied in clinical practice; on the other hand advanced quantitative methods allow in-depth multidimensional gait assessment. The present study was designed to assess the consistency between temporospatial gait parameters acquired through 3-dimensional gait analysis and the results of gait assessment with the use of observational WGS in post stroke hemiparetic patients. Material and method The study was performed in a group of 30 post-stroke patients, over 6 months from the onset of ischaemic stroke, who were able to walk unassisted. Gait assessment based on WGS was performed by an experienced physiotherapist, with the use of video recordings. Assessment of temporospatial parameters was based on gait analysis performed with BTS Smart system. Results The findings show moderate correlation between WGS based gait assessment and gait velocity (r=−0.39; p=0.0316). Similar relationship was identified between gait cycle duration and score in WGS for both unaffected (r=−0.36; p=0.0477) and affected side (r=−0.37; p=0.0426). Higher correlation level was demonstrated for stance phase on the unaffected side and gait assessment based on WGS (r=0.58; p=0.0009). Conclusions Gait assessments with the use of temporospatial parameters and with observational WGS were found to produce moderate and good consistent results. WSG is a useful, simple tool for assessing gait in post stroke hemiparetic patients

Gimnastyka w wodzie a sprawność funkcjonalna kobiet po 60. roku życia – badania pilotażowe

Introduction and Aim: Aging of the society is a serious problem of the modern world. Elderly people often avoid physical activities which lead to sedentary lifestyle. One suitable forms of physical activity for elderly is aqua gymnastics. The aim of the study was to determine if a larger study, using the chosen methods is feasible. This study tested the hypothesis that performing a 16-week course of aqua gymnastic training would result in improved functional fitness in women aged over 60. Material and Methods: The trial included a sample of 20 women randomly selected from the 100 who responded to the application of research. The measurements such as height, weight, waistline and hip width were conducted before and after a series of exercises in water. Results: After four-month-period of exercises in water an improvement in index value was due to weight loss, a slight decrease in waistline, the basis of the Fullerton Functional Fitness and an improvement in functional efficiency of all tested women was observed. Conclusion: After 16 weeks of aqua aerobic in the group of women aged over 60 a significant functional fitness improvement was observed.Wstęp: Starzenie się społeczeństwa jest poważnym problemem współczesnego świata. Starsi ludzie często unikają aktywności fizycznej, co prowadzi do siedzącego trybu życia. Jedną z odpowiednich form aktywności ruchowej dla osób starszych jest Aqua gimnastyka. Cel pracy: Celem badania pilotażowego było sprawdzenie, czy sprawność funkcjonalna osób starszych po 16-tygodniowym udziale w Aqua gimnastyce znacząco się poprawi. W badaniu założono hipotezę; że 16-tygodniowy trening Aqua gimnastyki skutecznie zwiększy sprawności funkcjonalną kobiet w wieku powyżej 60. roku życia. Materiał i metoda: Badanie objęło 20 losowo dobranych kobiet spośród 100, które zgłosiły się do udziału w badaniach. Pomiary takie jak: wzrost, waga, obwód talii i bioder przeprowadzono przed i po serii ćwiczeń w wodzie. Wyniki: Po czteromiesięcznym okresie ćwiczeń w wodzie zaobserwowano zmianę wartości pomiarów, odpowiednio spadek masy ciała, niewielki spadek obwodu talii. Na podstawie Fullerton Functional Fitness test stwierdzono poprawę wyników wszystkich prób sprawności funkcjonalnej badanych kobiet. Wniosek:Zaobserwowano znaczną poprawę sprawności funkcjonalnej kobiet w wieku powyżej 60. roku życia po 16-tygodniowym Aqua aerobiku

Prędkość chodu jako narzędzie oceny efektów treningu chodu u pacjentów w okresie późnym po udarze mózgu

Background. Gait velocity is a simple but very essential parameter which may be applied as an indicator of functional efficiency. Gait of stroke patients is characterized by reduced speed. As a result, the patients have significantly limited functioning capabilities, including walking independently outside home. The study was designed to assess selected temporal gait parameters, including gait velocity, stride velocity and swing phase velocity in patients with chronic stroke following a rehabilitation program with the use treadmill. Material and method. The study was conducted in a group of 50 patients with hemiparesis in the late period after stroke. Temporal gait parameters such as: gait velocity, stride velocity and swing velocity were examined. Additionally, 10-metre walk test was measured. Results. While analyzing 10-metre walk test results it was shown that after rehabilitation gait velocity increased by an average of 0.15 m/s (p = 0.0000). Similar results were obtained in terms of gait velocity which had been assessed using a 3-dimensional gait analysis, the average gait velocity increased by 0,14m/s (p = 0.0000). Analyzing stride velocity, both the paretic and non-paretic side it was noted that after rehabilitation this particular parameter increased by an average of 0.05 m/s (p = 0.0019) and 0.06 m/s (p = 0.0052). Similar results were achieved in terms of swing velocity of the paretic side - p = 0.0017. Conclusions. It was demonstrated that rehabilitation program with the use of treadmill enabled significant improvement in gait velocity, stride velocity and swing phase velocity in patients with chronic stroke. Gait velocity is a practical and simple tool to be applied for monitoring of progress in rehabilitation and for assessing effects of gait re-education in patients with hemiplegia in a chronic stage after stroke.Wstęp. Prędkość chodu jest prostym, a zarazem bardzo istotnym parametrem, który może być stosowany jako wyznacznik sprawności funkcjonalnej. Chód pacjentów po udarze mózgu charakteryzuje się zmniejszoną prędkością. W efekcie pacjenci mają znacznie ograniczone możliwości funkcjonowania, w tym samodzielnego chodu poza domem. Celem pracy jest ocena wybranych czasowych parametrów chodu, w tym prędkości chodu, prędkości cyklu chodu oraz prędkości fazy przenoszenia u pacjentów w okresie późnym po udarze mózgu, po programie rehabilitacji z wykorzystaniem bieżni ruchomej. Materiał i metoda. Badanie przeprowadzono w grupie 50 pacjentów z niedowładem połowiczym w okresie późnym po udarze mózgu. Analizowano czasowe parametry chodu: prędkość chodu, prędkości cyklu chodu oraz prędkości fazy przenoszenia. Dodatkowo wykonano test drogi na 10 metrach. Wyniki. Analizując wyniki testu drogi wykazano, że po zakończeniu programu rehabilitacji prędkość chodu wzrosła średnio o 0,15 m/s (p = 0,0000). Podobne wyniki uzyskano w zakresie prędkości chodu ocenionej z wykorzystaniem 3-wymiarowej analizy chodu, średnia prędkość chodu wzrosła o 0,14m/s (p = 0,0000). Analizując prędkość cyklu chodu zarówno po stronie niedowładnej jak i zdrowej zanotowano, iż w wyniku rehabilitacji nastąpił wzrost tego parametru średnio o 0,05 m/s (p = 0,0019) i 0,06 m/s (p = 0,0052). Zbliżone wyniki uzyskano również w zakresie prędkości fazy przenoszenia po stronie niedowładnej – p = 0,0017. Wnioski. Program rehabilitacji z wykorzystaniem bieżni ruchomej wpłynął na istotną poprawę w zakresie prędkości chodu, prędkości cyklu chodu oraz prędkości fazy przenoszenia u pacjentów w okresie późnym po udarze mózgu. Prędkość chodu jest przydatnym narzędziem umożliwiającym ocenę efektów reedukacji chodu pacjentów z niedowładem połowiczym w okresie późnym po udarze mózgu

Assessment of test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Wisconsin Gait Scale in hemiparetic post-stroke patients

Introduction: A proper assessment of gait pattern is a significant aspect in planning the process of teaching gait in hemiparetic post-stroke patients. The Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) is an observational tool for assessing post-stroke patients’ gait. The aim of the study was to assess test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the WGS and examine correlations between gait assessment made with the WGS and gait speed, Brunnström scale, Ashworth’s scale and the Barthel Index

The Efficacy of Gait Training Using a Body Weight Support Treadmill and Visual Biofeedback in Patients with Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. This study was designed to determine whether or not gait training based on the use of treadmill with visual biofeedback and body weight support (BWS) would produce better effects in patients with subacute stroke compared to BWS treadmill training with no visual biofeedback. Materials and Methods. 30 patients with subacute stroke were randomly assigned to do body weight supported treadmill training with visual biofeedback (BB group) or BWS treadmill training without visual biofeedback. Their gait was assessed with a 3D system (spatiotemporal gait parameters and symmetry index) and by means of 2-minute walk test (2 MWT), 10-metre walk test (10 MWT), and Timed Up & Go test. Subjects in both groups participated in 15 treadmill training sessions (30 minutes each). Results. The participants from both groups achieved a statistically significant improvement in spatiotemporal gait parameters, walking speed, endurance, and mobility. The average change in the BB group after the end of the programme did not differ significantly compared to the change in the control group. The change in the symmetry index value of stance phase in the BB group was 0.03 (0.02) and in the control group was 0.02 (0.02). The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.902). The statistically significantly higher improvement in the BB group was found in the range of walking speed (p=0.003) and endurance (p=0.012), but the difference between groups was of low clinical significance. Conclusions. The findings do not confirm that BWS treadmill training with the function of visual biofeedback leads to significantly greater improvement in gait compared to BWS treadmill training with no visual biofeedback at an early stage after stroke. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: ACTRN12616001283460