Proposal and validation of a new functional ambulation classification scale for clinical use.
OBJECTIVE
To validate a new functional ambulation classification.


METHODS
Validity study.


METHODS
In- and outpatients of a district hospital rehabilitation service.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with poststroke hemiplegic gait disorders compared with a control group of 5 healthy people. Interventions Not applicable.


METHODS
Three independent examiners assessed the functional ambulation levels of each patient in blind trials. Interrater reliability was analyzed among the examiners. Walking velocity (slow, normal, fast) was measured with a manual chronometer, and the number of steps taken over a 48-hour period was recorded with a step counter. The linear correlation was calculated from among functional level classification, walking velocity, and the number of steps taken.


RESULTS
There was a good interrater reliability among the examiners (kappa=.74). A significant association and a linear correlation were found between functional ambulation level, walking velocity, and the number of steps taken.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed classification is reliable and valid for determining the different levels of walking abilities.
Viosca
Enrique
E
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hospital de Sagunt y C.E., Av. Ramón y Cajal s/n 46520, Puerto de Sagunto, Valencia, Spain. eviosca@ibv.upv.es
Martínez
José L
JL
Almagro
Pedro L
PL
Gracia
Antonio
A
González
Carmen
C
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*