title: Rollator use adversely impacts on assessment of gait and mobility during geriatric rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the influence of the use of a rollator walking aid on assessment of gait and mobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Geriatric patients during inpatient rehabilitation (n=109; mean age 83.1 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment at the beginning and prior to discharge from rehabilitation using: gait-analysis (GAITRite®, speed, cadence, stride-time, stride-length, base-of-support, double-support), Performance-Oriented-Mobility-Assessment (POMA), and Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG). Differences between outcomes obtained without and with rollator use were calculated for baseline assessment and for changes over time for the total group and subgroups according to diagnosis (hip fracture vs. other). Responsiveness was calculated using standardized response means.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline performances were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher when assessed with vs. without rollator in the total group and in hip fracture (except cadence) and other (except cadence, stride-time, TUG) patients. Changes over time were significantly greater when assessed without vs. with rollator in the total group and hip fracture (except cadence, POMA) and other patients (except base-of-support, double-support). Tests without rollator showed superior responsiveness (except TUG).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of rollator walking aids limits the detection of initial gait and mobility deficits, adversely affects the assessment of changes over time in gait and mobility performance, and reduces the responsiveness of tests. When full weight-bearing is permitted, assessment without a walking aid is recommended.
authors: Department of Geriatric Research, Agaplesion Bethanien-Hospital/Geriatric Centre at University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Schwenk
authors: Marita
authors: M
authors: Schmidt
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Pfisterer
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Oster
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Hauer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051341:Dependent Ambulation; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014853:Walkers / Q000009:adverse effects; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology