Pedestrians in Berlin after stroke

The yearly incidence of stroke in Germany is 180 per 100,000 inhabitants. Three months after stroke onset, 20% of these patients are still wheelchair-bound and walking ability and endurance are markedly decreased in 70%. Our work group evaluated which abilities the patients need to master the local road traffic and use the subway (underground) to guarantee mobility and sustain social contacts. We assessed the time needed to cross the street at traffic lights and use subway stations in Berlin, Germany. The mean gait velocity needed was 0.89 +/- 0.41 m/s to cross the street during the green phase at selected traffic lights. Fourteen of 29 (48.28%) subway stations on the U2 line in Berlin had neither lift nor escalator to the surface. Travellers had to climb a mean of 25.41 +/- 2.67 steps. Berlin's U7 line has 40 stations, four of which (10%) had no lift or escalator. There it was necessary to climb a mean of 27.13 +/- 7.03 steps. The recommendations for renewing walking ability in chronic stroke patients are considerable. Therefore the emphasis of physiotherapy should be on increasing walking speed and endurance.