Determining and Defining Fall Risk Post Stroke Using Spatiotemporal Gait Data (2012)
Undergraduates: Claire Bradley, Clint Wutzke
Faculty Advisor: Michael Lewek
Department: Exercise & Sport Science
DETERMINING AND DEFINING FALL RISK POST STROKE USING SPATIOTEMPORAL GAIT DATA
Claire E. Bradley, Clint Wutzke, Steve Zinder, Michael D. Lewek
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Introduction: Approximately 800,000 strokes occur each year in the United States. After a stroke, gait patterns are frequently spatiotemporally asymmetric, which is purported to lead to decreased balance. This is of particular concern because diminished balance can subsequently lead to falls, negatively influencing quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of a relationship between spatiotemporal gait asymmetry and three quantitative measures of balance. We hypothesized that individuals with greater gait asymmetry will exhibit diminished balance. The presence of a significant relationship would suggest treatments that target asymmetric gait may subsequently improve balance, and potentially reduce fall-risk.
Objective: To determine if a relationship exists between asymmetrical gait patterns post stroke and decreased balance.
Methods: This study consisted of a retrospective analysis of 39 subjects who had experienced a stroke more than 6 months prior to testing. Step length, stance time, and swing time were measured as subjects walked across a 14 foot GaitRite mat, at comfortable and fast gait speeds. From these measures, ratios between limbs were calculated to assess spatiotemporal inter-limb asymmetry (greater values indicate greater asymmetry). Balance was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale, step width during gait (from the GaitRite mat), and the weight bearing distribution between legs. The weight borne through each limb was measured as the subject stood unsupported on Bertec force plates. Pearson and Spearman rank correlations were performed to determine the presence of a relationship between measures of balance and the gait asymmetry ratios.
Results: At the comfortable gait speed, step width during gait was positively correlated wit