title: Fast gait speed and self-perceived balance as valid predictors and discriminators of independent community walking at 6 months post-stroke--a preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the validity of walking speed, muscle strength, function of the hemiparetic lower limb and self-perceived balance to predict and discriminate independent community walkers (ICW) within the first 6 months post-stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatients with a first ischemic stroke (<3 months), able to walk, were evaluated (T0) and re-evaluated after 6 months post-stroke (T1). Comfortable, fast speed and the difference between fast and comfortable speed, muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors, sensory-motor function of the hemiparetic lower limb and self-perceived balance were assessed at T0 and T1. At T1, a self-reported question was used to discriminate ICW versus Dependent Community Walkers (DCW). ROC curve analysis was used to determine valid predictive (T0) and discriminative (T1) cut-offs of ICW.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 25.7% of the 35 participants were ICW at T1. Valid predictive cut-offs at T0 were found for fast speed (≥0.42 m/s) and Falls Efficacy Scale (<57). Valid discriminators were found at T1 for fast speed (>0.84 m/s) and FES (<18.50).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fast speed and self-perceived balance appear to be important characteristics of ICW at 6 months and may be useful early predictors of the potential for patients to achieve this. Further research is needed to ensure the precision of these functional cut-offs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences (Secção Autónoma de Ciências da Saúde - SACS), University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal .
authors.forename: Marlene Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Alda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demain
authors.forename: Cheryl D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Metcalf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010465:Perception; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Balance; community; gait; stroke; walking