Journal
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
Volume 34, Issue 18, Pages 1535-1539Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2011.650308
Keywords
Function; gait training; life-role participation; quality of life; stroke
Categories
Funding
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service [B6636W, B5080S, A3102R, B2226R]
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Purpose: Intensive gait training can produce improvements in gait and function (>6 months after stroke); however, findings are mixed for enhanced life-role participation. Therefore, it is unclear if improved gait and function translate into life-role participation gain. Our objective was to evaluate whether intensive gait therapy can produce improvements in life-role participation for chronic-stroke survivors, according to a comprehensive measure dedicated to life-role participation. Methods: In conjunction with a clinical gait-training trial, we conducted a secondary analysis for a 44-member cohort with stroke (>6 months). Gait-training interventions included functional neuromuscular stimulation, body-weight supported treadmill training, over-ground gait training and exercise for 1.5 hours/day, 4 days/week for 12 weeks. Study measures included Tinetti Gait (gait impairment), Functional Independence Measure (FIM, function), Stroke Impact Scale subscale of life-role participation (SIS part) and Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART, life-role participation). Analysis included Wilcoxon signed rank test and polytomous universal regression model. Results: Gait interventions produced significant improvement in CHART (p = 0.020), SIS part (p = 0.011), FIM (p < 0.0001), and Tinetti Gait (p < 0.0001). Age, gender and time since stroke did not predict response to treatment. Conclusions: Intensive gait therapy resulted in significant gain in life-role participation, according to a comprehensive measure, so dedicated.
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