title: [Perception of patients with chronic hemiplegia regarding the use of assistive walking devices].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the perception of patients with chronic hemiplegia regarding the use of assistive walking devices (AWD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three individuals who met the inclusion criteria and used AWD were recruited from a database of 360 stroke survivors. Their mean age was 58.4 years, mean time since stroke was 80.8 months, and mean time using AWD was 67.6 months. To assess the participants' perception, was used a standardized questionnaire covering the impact of AWDs on five aspects: weight-bearing on the paretic limb; ability to move the paretic limb; confidence; safety; and walking style. Possible answers were "improved," "unchanged," or "decreased."
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen individuals used canes and nine used elbow crutches; 21 (91.3%) used AWDs on public roads and only two (8.7%) used AWDs at home. The perception regarding the use of AWDs were positive in the first four questions (6.87 < χ2 < 29.83; 0.0001 < P < 0.03), with reports of improvement in weight-bearing (82.6%), ability to move the paretic limb (39.1%), confidence (82.6%), and safety (86.9%). No significant differences were found in terms of walking style (χ2 = 1.09; P = 0.30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The perception of chronic hemiplegic subjects regarding the use of AWD were positive, suggesting that these devices can improve mobility and independence in activities of daily living.
authors: Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors: Janaíne Cunha
authors: JC
authors: Polese
authors: Lucas Rodrigues
authors: LR
authors: Nascimento
authors: Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais
authors: CD
authors: Faria
authors: Glória Elizabeth Carneiro
authors: GE
authors: Laurentino
authors: Fátima
authors: F
authors: Rodrigues-de-Paula
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Ada
authors: Luci Fuscaldi
authors: LF
authors: Teixeira-Salmela
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002183:Canes; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003446:Crutches; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged