Ten-meter ambulation test in spastic paresis

Abstract

The function of lower limb in spastic paresis could be evaluated with ambulation test including sit-to-stand, stand-to-sit, turns and straight walk over sufficient distance. We proposed 10-meter ambulation test (AT10) from seated to seated position. The present study aimed to measure intra- and inter-reliability of the AT10 in chronic hemiparesis. Ten subjects with chronic hemiparesis (45 ± 12 years, time since stroke 16 ± 9 months, mean ± standard deviation) performed four AT10: with shoes and barefoot, at a ‘natural’ pace and then at ‘maximal’ speed on two occasions one week apart (test and re-test). The total number of steps – including during turns – and time to complete the task were clinically measured by 4 independent raters. Speed (SP), step length (SL) and cadence (CAD) were derived. Inter- and intra-rater reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the agreement frequency procedure, agreements being defined as a speed difference <0.05 m/s, a step length difference <0.05 m and a cadence difference <0.1 step/s. For all conditions, mean intra-rater ICC were >95% (SP, 98.5 ± 0.1%; SL, 98.3 ± 0.1%; CAD, 96.5 ± 0.1%) and agreement frequency >68% (SP, 76 ± 8%; SL, 90 ± 9%; CAD, 77 ± 6%). Mean intra-rater difference was 0.05 ± 0.01 m/s in speed, 0.02 ± 0.01 m in step length and 0.08 ± 0.01 step/s in cadence. Mean inter-rater ICC were >98% (SP, 99.9 ± 0.1%; SL, 99.7 ± 0.2%; CAD, 98.9 ± 0.5%) and agreement frequency ≥90% (SP, 95 ± 3%; SL, 99.6 ± 0.8%; CAD, 94 ± 4%). Mean intra-rater difference was 0.01 ± 0.003 m/s in speed, 0.006 ± 0.002 m in step length and 0.04 ± 0.005 step/s in cadence. The AT10 intra- and inter-rater reliability was excellent in chronic hemiparesis. The discrepancy between outstanding ICC and fewer raw agreements for the intra-rater measurements owed to the fact that subjects improved between the two tests.