Analysis of the clinical factors determining walking speed in hemiparetic stroke patients

ObjectiveTo analyse the most important clinical variables determining walking speed in hemiparetic stroke patients.MethodsThirty-two stroke subjects were able to walk independently in the study.The freely chosen speed was determined by using 10m walking speed test.The motor function,strength of the paretic lower limb,and the balance were evaluated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Motricity Index,and Berg Balance Scale.Modified Ashworth Scale was used to assess the muscle tone of the plantarflexors.The level of association between walking speed and the clinical variables were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients and by multiple linear regression analysis by using the stepwise method.ResultsThe motor function,strength of the lower limb and the balance were significantly positive related to walking speed(r=0.781-0.834,P0.001),and the muscle tone of the plantarflexor was moderate negative related to walking speed(r=-0.461,P0.05).The regression analysis selected motor function of the lower limb as a significant variable(R 2=0.696,P0.001).ConclusionsThe motor function of the lower limb is the important clinical factor to determine the walking speed of stroke subjects.