Effect of Different Walking Aids on Walking Capacity of Patients With Poststroke Hemiparesis
By Allet, Laura; Leemann, Beatrice; Guyen, Emmanuel; Murphy, Laura; Monnin, Dominique; Herrmann, Francois R.; Schnider, Armin; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 90, No. 8, pp. 1408-1413Publication Date: August 2009
Study examined the effects of 3 different walking aids on walking capacity, temporo-spatial gait parameters, and user satisfaction in patients with poststroke hemiparesis at an early stage of gait rehabilitation. Study participants were 25 hemiparetic inpatients with impaired gait who were unfamiliar with the walking aids tested. On 3 consecutive days and in random order, participants used one of 3 walking aids: a 4-point cane, a simple cane with ergonomic handgrip, and a Nordic walking stick. Main outcome measures were maximal walking distance in 6 minutes, temporo-spatial gait parameters determined with the GAITRite electronic gait analysis system, and patients’ preference on a subjective ranking scale. Walking distance was found to be greatest with the simple cane with an ergonomic handgrip, followed by the 4-point cane and the Nordic walking stick. Walking velocity was highest with the simple cane, which was also indicated as the preferred walking aid by 60 percent of participants. There was no significant difference in step length symmetry. The study concludes that in addition to gait speed and independent ambulation distance, subjective benefit may be an important variable to consider when choosing a walking aid.
Assistive Products Discussed: GAITRITE SYSTEM
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
Link to text: http://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(09)00307-4
