Article

Predicting walking outcomes poststroke is a challenge for clinicians.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the extent to which exercise dose (repetitions of leg
movements) in the first week of a comprehensive stroke unit stay predicts
discharge mobility. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted on 200 consecutive
people admitted to a comprehensive stroke unit who required physical therapy.
RESULTS: Discharge and predictor data were available for 191 survivors (99%). On
admission, 86 participants were able to walk, and the average walking velocity
was 0.42 m/s. On discharge, the average walking velocity was 0.77 m/s, and 152
participants were able to walk. A discharge walking velocity of greater than 0.8
m/s was predicted by the exercise dose achieved in the first week after
admission. Adding other predictors did not significantly increase the predictive
ability of the model. Completion of more than the median number of exercise
repetitions (703) in the first week of admission was associated with a quicker
recovery of unassisted walking. This effect persisted after adjustment for
walking velocity on admission, cognition, and comorbidity. CONCLUSION: Exercise
dose in the first week after admission for stroke is an important indicator of
walking speed at discharge and the time to achieve unassisted walking.

Langue : ANGLAIS