Gylfadottir S, Dallimore M, Dean E. The Relation Between Walking Capacity and Clinical Correlates in Survivors of Chronic Spinal Poliomyelitis.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2006;
87:944-52. [PMID:
16813782 DOI:
10.1016/j.apmr.2006.03.014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2005] [Revised: 02/07/2006] [Accepted: 03/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To examine (1) common clinical measures that may influence walking performance in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in people with chronic poliomyelitis and (2) the test-retest reliability of the 6MWT distance, lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, and balance confidence on separate trials.
DESIGN
A prospective quasi-experimental study.
SETTING
University-based postpolio clinic.
PARTICIPANTS
Nineteen survivors of poliomyelitis (mean age, 62.2+/-1.9y; time since polio onset, 54.4+/-8.79y).
INTERVENTIONS
Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
6MWT distance, rate-pressure product (RPP), Physiological Cost Index (PCI), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), pain, fatigue, strength, standing balance, balance confidence, limb-length discrepancy, and lung function.
RESULTS
The 6MWT distance correlated with PCI, pretest pain, lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, balance confidence, corrected leg-length discrepancy, and lung function but not with RPP, RPE, posttest pain, or pretest and posttest fatigue. The PCI correlated with balance confidence and lung function. About 68% of the variance in 6MWT distance was accounted for by balance and pretest pain. The P value was set at .05.
CONCLUSIONS
With stringent standardization of the 6MWT applied to survivors of poliomyelitis (a neuromuscular condition with a musculoskeletal component), reproducibility was high; hence, test validity and interpretation were enhanced. The 6MWT distance was useful in elucidating the relation between impairment and a functional activity-namely, walking-in survivors of poliomyelitis.
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