Daily steps, walking tests, and functioning in chronic stroke; comparing independent walkers to device-users

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Community mobility and independence in daily activities are crucial post-stroke.
• Walking devices may aid mobility, but their impact on daily step count and independence is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare daily steps, walking test performance, and independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) at six months post-stroke.
• To differentiate between individuals using walking devices and those walking independently.
• To assess correlations between daily steps, walking tests, and independence within each group.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-seven community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke participated.
• Participants were divided into two groups: 22 device-users and 15 independent walkers.
• Daily steps were measured using hip accelerometers over 3 days; walking tests (10-m-walk-test, Timed Up & Go, Walking While Talking) and independence (Functional Independence Measure, IADL questionnaire) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Device-users took significantly fewer daily steps (195-8068 steps/day) than independent-walkers (147-14010 steps/day).
• No significant difference in independence in daily living was observed between the groups.
• Different walking tests correlated with daily steps in device-users and independent-walkers.

Conclusions:

• Stroke survivors using walking devices walk fewer steps but are as independent in daily living as independent walkers.
• Clinicians should consider the use of walking devices and employ different clinical walking tests to interpret daily step counts.
• Further research is warranted to understand the long-term impact of walking devices on stroke recovery and mobility.