Abstract
A study was conducted to test the usefulness of seven temporal distance measurements (measurements of time and distance) in the assessment of functional ambulation in stroke patients. These measurements were obtained simply and inexpensively using a paper walkway and ink footprints.The gait of ten hemiparetic patients was initially assessed according to the Massachusetts Functional Ambulation Rating. Each patient was then instructed to walk at his/her most comfortable speed along a ten metre paper walkway while velocity and cadence were measured. Ink pads were then attached to the heel and toe of each shoe and the patients walked again along the walkway.Measurements of step length, stride length, stride length: lower extremity length ratio, foot angle and width of base were recorded and analysed.Velocity and cadence were found to correlate well with the functional ambulation rating. Step length was found to correlate with the functional ambulation rating, but the longer step was not always taken with the affected leg. Stride length and stride length: lower extremity length ratio correlated well with the functional ambulation rating. Foot angle and width of base did not correlate with function but all hemiparetic patients showed a greater foot angle with the affected leg.This method of data collection is inexpensive and easy to use in any physiotherapy department although the data analysis is time-consuming.
Highlights
Gait analysis forms an important part of the assessment of ambulatory stroke patients throughout the world
The measurements of velocity, cadence, step length, stride length and SL:LEL, which were all shown in this study to correlate with functional ambulation, have been tested by Holden et al (1984, 1986) in studies with hemiparetic and multiple sclerosis patients, with similar results
Velocity or speed of walking - was measured in metres per second and was calculated by dividing the ten metre data collection section by the time taken in seconds to walk along it
Summary
Gait analysis forms an important part of the assessment of ambulatory stroke patients throughout the world. The majority of physiotherapists assess gait by observation due to the cost of gait analysis equipment and the space need ed to store it. Obser vational analysis can give a good basis from which to judge improvement in the patient’s condition but objective data for research cannot be obtained in this way. As it is becoming increasingly important to prove that physiotherapy treatment is effective, a study was undertaken to investigate the use of a simple but inex pensive method of collecting objective measurements. CORRESPONDENCE: M Riley Physiotherapy Department South Rand Hospital Private Bag x 1 Rosettenville 2130 South Africa
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