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Updated: Oct 25, 2025
Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults
Published on: November 7, 2014
Temporal But Not Spatial Gait Parameters Associated With Lower Balance Capacity in Moderate-High Functioning Persons
Shirley Handelzalts1, Flavia Steinberg-Henn, Jenna Farquhar
1Departments of Physical Therapy (S.H., J.F., I.M.) and Industrial Engineering and Management (A.S.R., R.R.), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; Departments of Physical Therapy (S.H., F.S.H.) and Neurological Rehabilitation (N.S.), Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, Ra'anana, Israel; Department of Statistics Education, The Academic College of Tel-Aviv-Yaffo, Tel-Aviv-Yaffo, Israel (S.L.); and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (N.S.).
Persons with stroke exhibit significant gait asymmetry and variability, increasing fall risk. These gait parameters are crucial for assessing balance and recovery after stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Falls are a significant health issue for individuals post-stroke.
- Gait asymmetry and variability are linked to instability and increased fall risk in persons with stroke (PwS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify gait spatiotemporal symmetry and variability in subacute stroke survivors.
- To compare these parameters between PwS and healthy individuals.
- To investigate the relationship between gait parameters and balance capacity in PwS.
Main Methods:
- Gait analysis using a computerized treadmill system in 22 PwS and 12 healthy adults.
- Measurement of gait parameters (step length, swing time, stance time) and angular range of motion.
- Assessment of balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and a reactive balance test (fall threshold).
Main Results:
- PwS showed significantly higher asymmetry in all gait parameters compared to controls.
- PwS exhibited increased stance time variability and paretic lower extremity swing time variability.
- Negative associations were found between fall threshold/BBS and gait asymmetry/variability.
Conclusions:
- Gait temporal symmetry and variability are critical for dynamic balance control post-stroke.
- These parameters are important for evaluating gait recovery and safety in PwS.
