Walking after stroke. Measurement and recovery over the first 3 months.
Sixty surviving patients had their walking ability and speed assessed regularly over the first 3 months after an acute stroke. Sixty-four matched controls were studied to allow categorisation of speed as 'slow' or 'normal'. Fourteen patients never had any significant loss of walking speed; fifteen patients never recovered the ability to walk and one patient remained dependent upon verbal support. Of the 30 showing significant recovery, only 10 regained normal speed, and 8 remained dependent upon a physical aid at 3 months. Plotting individual recovery curves of walking speed over time showed the wide range of change which may be expected. It is argued that timing of gait over 10 metres is a valid reliable measure that is currently underused.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities