Improvement in gait parameters in adults with spastic hemiparesis due to stroke or traumatic brain using Wheeleo crutch

Abstract

Patients with chronic hemiparesis following stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) often necessitate a quadripod crutch to improve the balance during gait. The quadripod crutch, by inducing a 3-step gait participates to an asymmetric and slow walking speed. This study aims to assess changes in gait parameters and balance in patients using a quadripod crutch with small wheels (Wheeleo) compared with a classical quadripod crutch. Prospective, multicentre, randomised study comparing Wheeleo and quadripod crutch (NCT02279069). Thirty-two ambulatory adults with spastic hemiparesis following stroke or TBI necessitating a quadripod crutch for walking participated to the study. The walking speed (WS), the frequency of the 2-step gait, the physiological cost index (PCI) and the number of therapist interventions to control the balance during a 10-meter walking test (10mWT) and a 6-minutes walking test (6MWT) were assessed with a Wheeleo and a quadripod crutch at comfortable and maximal WS. The cadence (during a 10mWT) and the distance (during a 6MWT) were also monitored. The patient satisfaction was assessed by a VAS scale. When using a Wheeleo, improvements in WS, cadence, frequency of a 2-step gait, PCI and distance were observed at comfortable and maximal WS. The number of therapist interventions to control the balance remained unchanged. Improvements in WS, cadence, distance, 2-step gait, energy cost and patient satisfaction were achieved in hemiparetic adults using a Wheeleo crutch without additional fall risk.