Abstract
Ambulation is a common goal of stroke rehabilitation that is often linked to lower limb spasticity. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between paretic lower limb spasticity and functional ambulation after stroke. Thirty stroke survivors (19 males) aged 57.77 ± 9.52 years participated in this correlational cross-sectional study. Spasticity of the paretic lower limb was assessed using the Modified Tardieu Scale. Functional ambulation performance was assessed using the Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (E-FAP). Data were analyzed using Pearson's product moment correlation and stepwise regression analysis at p = 0.05. Spasticity was highest in the ankle plantaflexors (253.20 ± 32.62°). There was a significant relationship between spasticity of the affected lower limb and functional ambulation performance (r=0.61; p<0.05). Stepwise regression analysis indicated that only spasticity of the ankle plantaflexors predicted functional ambulation. Spasticity of the paretic ankle plantaflexors has discriminative power for predicting functional ambulation. This underscores the need for focused rehabilitation aimed at reducing spasticity of ankle plantaflexors for improved functional ambulation among stroke survivors. Key words: Stroke, spasticity, functional ambulation.
Highlights
Community ambulation, the ability of a person to walk independently and in the least possible time under various environmental circumstances (Lord et al, 2004), is a predictor of recovery. (Eng and Tang, 2007) and the most desired goals of rehabilitation among stroke survivors (Shim et al, 2012)
Recruited stroke survivors with first incident stroke resulting in spastic hemiparesis participated in this correlational cross-sectional study
The Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) has moderate to very good (K=0.52 – 0.87) test –retest reliability, construct validity (r) of 0.84 and Percentage of Exact Agreement (PEA) with laboratory measurement of spasticity is 100% for elbow flexors and ankle plantaflexors (Mehrhoiz et al, 2005)
Summary
The ability of a person to walk independently and in the least possible time under various environmental circumstances (Lord et al, 2004), is a predictor of recovery. (Eng and Tang, 2007) and the most desired goals of rehabilitation among stroke survivors (Shim et al, 2012). Lower extremity spasticity and poor balance are two common impairments that have been linked with difficulties with walking post stroke (Francisco and McGuire, 2012; Patterson et al, 2007). Studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between community ambulation and different post-stroke impairments. Most of these studies focused on balance and motor impairments (Hamzat et al, 2006; Adegoke et al, 2012; Obembe et al, 2014). This study was conducted to describe the pattern of PSS and investigate the relationship between paretic lower limb spasticity and community ambulation among stroke survivors in Ibadan, Nigeria
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
