Timed Walking Tests Correlate With Daily Step Activity In Persons With Stroke

Abstract

The 6MWT has the strongest relationship with the StepWatch outputs and may be a better test than the 10MWT to predict usual walking performance. However, it should be remembered that the 6MWT explains only half the variability in usual walking performance. Thus, activity monitoring captures aspects of walking performance not captured by other clinical tests and should be considered as an additional outcome measure in stroke rehabilitation.

10.4172/2165-7025.1000182

“…The correlation between comfortable gait speed and physical activity in the current study was similar to values reported previously [6,7,11]. In contrast, the correlations between scores on the 6MWT and BBS and physical activity in the current study were substantially weaker than previous estimates [6][7][8]11] and non-significant.…”

“…In contrast, the correlations between scores on the 6MWT and BBS and physical activity in the current study were substantially weaker than previous estimates [6][7][8]11] and non-significant. In four previous studies, [6][7][8]11] participants were younger and participants' walking ability was either better (two studies) or worse (one study) compared to individuals in the current study. Moreover, the time period over which the accelerometer was worn, the placement of the accelerometer (ankle vs. thigh), and the parameter used to estimate physical activity (step/activity counts vs. time spent upright) varied across studies making it difficult to compare results.…”

“…These associations suggest that as balance self-efficacy and walking speed improve, daily physical activity and participation after stroke also tend to improve. Results support the clinical relevance of using the ABC scale and the 5mWT to make inferences about an individual's expected physical activity and participation level on returning home.The correlation between comfortable gait speed and physical activity in the current study was similar to values reported previously [6,7,11]. In contrast, the correlations between scores on the 6MWT and BBS and physical activity in the current study were substantially weaker than previous estimates [6][7][8]11] and non-significant.…”

“…Self-report measures of physical activity, while simple and affordable, may overestimate levels determined on objective testing [5]. The use of accelerometers provides an alternative method to objectively quantify physical activity [6][7][8]. Participation encompasses physical activity as it denotes the involvement of individuals in activities, including relationships, community activities, work, recreation and leisure, that bring meaning to life [9].…”

“…Investigation of the relationship between physical rehabilitation outcomes and physical activity has been primarily restricted to motor, balance and walking capacity. For example, physical activity measured using an accelerometer has been found to correlate with scores on the Berg balance scale [10] (BBS) (r=0.54-0.58) [7,11], self-selected gait speed [12] (r=0.55-0.65) [6,7,11], and 6-minute walk test [13] (6MWT) performance (r=0.67-0.73) [6][7][8]. Examination of relationships between physical activity and motor function and broader outcomes such as social participation and health-related quality of life has been limited to one study of people with mild gait deficits post-stroke (mean self-selected gait speed 1.01 meters/second (m/s)) in which no correlations were observed [7].…”