Article

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate poststroke recovery of paretic lower extremity loading,
walking ability, and self-reported physical function; and to identify subject
characteristics associated with recovery. DESIGN: Inception cohort study, with
testing at monthly intervals from 1 to 6 months poststroke. SETTING: Medical
center and research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Volunteer sample of individuals
with first-ever, unilateral, noncerebellar stroke (N=33). A total of 78
individuals underwent screening, and 45 were found to be eligible. Of these, 8
declined participation, 2 were excluded because of deteriorating cognitive
status, and 2 were lost to follow-up. The remaining 33 individuals enrolled in
the study, and 30 (91%) completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes were loading of the paretic lower extremity when
standing up from a chair, self-selected gait speed (GS), and Physical Functioning
Index. RESULTS: Data analyses using linear mixed models indicated that subjects
improved over time for all outcomes. Baseline Fugl-Meyer (FM) lower extremity
motor scale score was a predictor of immediate poststroke performance for paretic
lower extremity loading and self-selected GS, and a predictor of recovery rate
for paretic lower extremity loading. Factors identified as having significant
effects on performance at 6 months poststroke were baseline FM lower extremity
motor scale score for paretic lower extremity loading and self-selected GS and
baseline star cancellation score (from the Behavioral Inattention Test) for
paretic lower extremity loading. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with better baseline
paretic lower extremity motor function have better ability to load that extremity
during functional activities and faster walking speeds, and these advantages are
still present at 6 months poststroke. Individuals with severe visuospatial
neglect demonstrate less ability to load the paretic leg during functional
activities at 6 months poststroke.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS