Does functional mobility vary among individuals with up to one year after stroke? An analysis using the TUG-ABS

Abstract

The Timed “Up and Go” Assessment of Biomechanical Strategies (TUG-ABS) analyses functional mobility activities of Timed “Up and Go” (TUG) test, showing to be valid and reliable for individuals with stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the performance of functional mobility activities varies between subjects within the first year poststroke. Thirty-eight stroke subjects (mean age 56.5 years) of both genders and with up to one year of first stroke that caused gait deficits (gait speed < 0.8 m/s) participated in the study. Participants were instructed to perform the following activities: standing up from a chair without armrests, walking and circling (180° turns) a cone placed at the 1.35-m mark, walking back and sitting down. The performances of these activities were registered by the Qualisys Motion Capture System. By analyzing the images, TUG-ABS was applied to evaluate: sit-to-stand (STSt), walking (W), turn (T) and stand-to-sit (STSi). For statistical analysis, participants were divided into: one group with up to 3 months poststroke ( n = 21), and another group with 4 to 12 months poststroke ( n = 17). Study groups were compared with Mann Whitney test for TUG-ABS activities and total TUG-ABS score (TS). The groups were homogeneous with regard to middle age, cognitive level (Mini-Mental State Examination), neurological status (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) and walking ability (Functional Ambulatory Category). For TUG-ABS, there was also no difference between groups for the activities: STSt: P = 0.161; W: P = 0.383; T: P = 0.052; STSi: P = 0.542, and for TS: P = 0.144. Although motor recovery can be influenced by lesion time, the performance of functional mobility activities did not appear to be different among subjects in the first year poststroke. This suggests that biomechanical strategies for performing these activities are developed within the first three months following stroke, indicating the importance of early intervention for rehabilitation.