Clinical assessment of gait in hemiplegic patients

Objective To set up clinical assessment of gait for hemiplegic patients. Methods Thirty cases of hemiplegic patients resulted from cerebrovascular accidents were recruited by means of convenient sampling. Walking speed was calculated from measures of walking time obtained with digital stopwatch. Three different ways to record walking time for 10 meters were used: just 10 m, first 10 m and middle 10 m. Walking quality was evaluated by Tinetti Gait Test. Up Go test was used to assess functional walking performance. The balance of subjects was evaluated by Berg Balance Scale. The lower extremity recovery stage was assessed by the Impairment Inventory of the Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment. Results Significant relationships were found among the walking speed obtained by three different ways. The middle 10 m speed was faster than the others, but there is no significant difference among them. Walking speed, score of Tinetti Gait Test and time of Up Go test were significant correlated. They were also correlated with score of BBS and stage of lower extremity recovery significantly.Conclusion The middle 10 m speed, Tinetti Gait Test and Up Go test can be used in combination to assess hemiplegic gait clinically.