Comparison of gait parameters across three attentional loading conditions during timed up and go test in stroke survivors.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the effects of attentional loading on performance of turning during walking in individuals with stroke.


OBJECTIVE
The authors used a cross-sectional experimental design to compare gait parameters in stroke survivors across 3 attentional loading conditions (single, dual-motor, and dual-cognitive conditions) during a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.


METHODS
Data were collected from 20 stroke survivors (12 males, 8 females; mean age, 60.5 ± 10.6 years). We compared the number of steps and time measured during the TUG test under 3 attentional loading conditions and 2 turning directions (nonparetic and paretic sides). We further divided the TUG test into straight walking and turning phases.


RESULTS
The number of steps and the time taken during TUG test increased significantly from single- to dual-task conditions (dual motor and dual cognitive). However, there were no significant differences in gait parameters between turning toward the nonparetic and paretic sides.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggested that gait performance was compromised during dual-task conditions for individuals with stroke. Attentional loading may be incorporated into routine gait assessment and rehabilitation to ensure a successful recovery.
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia.
Haidzir
H
Manaf
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia.
Maria
M
Justine
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Goh Hui
GH
Ting
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Lydia Abd
LA
Latiff
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors
attention; cognitive; gait; motor; rehabilitation; stroke