Article

As physical activity in people poststroke is low, devices that
monitor and provide feedback of walking activity provide motivation to engage in
exercise and may assist rehabilitation professionals in auditing walking
activity. However, most feedback devices are not accurate at slow walking speeds.
This study assessed the accuracy of one accelerometer to measure
walking steps of community-dwelling individuals poststroke. DESIGN: This was a
cross-sectional study. METHODS: Two accelerometers were positioned on the
nonparetic waist and ankle of participants (N=43), and walking steps from these
devices were recorded at 7 speeds (0.3-0.9 m/s) and compared with video
recordings (gold standard). RESULTS: When positioned at the waist, the
accelerometer had more than 10% error at all speeds, except 0.8 and 0.9 m/s, and
numerous participants recorded zero steps at 0.3 to 0.5 m/s.
The device had 10%
or less error when positioned at the ankle for all speeds between 0.4 and 0.9
m/s. LIMITATIONS: Some participants were unable to complete the faster walking
speeds due to their walking impairments and inability to maintain the requested
walking speed. CONCLUSIONS: Although not recommended by the manufacturer,
positioning the accelerometer at the ankle (compared with the waist) may fill a
long-standing need for a readily available device that provides accurate feedback
for the altered and slow walking patterns that occur with stroke.
CI - (c) 2016 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS