Reliability and Minimum Detectable Change of the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) in post-stroke patients

Improvement of gait and balance function in chronic post-stroke patients induced by Lower Extremity - Constraint Induced Movement Therapy: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of Lower Extremity - Constraint Induced Movement Therapy on gait function and balance in chronic hemiparetic patients.

METHODS

Randomized, controlled, single-blinded study. We recruited chronic post stroke patients and allocated them to Lower Extremity - Constraint Induced Movement Tharapy (LE-CIMT) or Control Group. The LE-CIMT group received this protocol 2.5 hour/day for 15 followed days, including: 1) intensive supervised training, 2) use of shaping as a strategy for motor training, and 3) application of a transfer package. The control group received conventional physiotherapy for 2.5 hours/day for 15 followed days. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after the interventions, and after 6 months, through 6-minute walk test and Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test; 10-meter walk test, Timed Up and Go, 3-D gait analysis, and Lower Extremity - Motor Activity Log.

RESULTS

LE-CIMT was superior on the Assistance and confidence subscale of Lower Extremity - Motor Activity Log, Mini-BESTest and 6-minute walk test. The effect size for all outcomes was small when comparing both groups. LE-CIMT showed clinically significant differences in daily activities, balance, and gait capacity, with no clinically significant difference for spatiotemporal parameters.

CONCLUSION

The LE-CIMT protocol had positive outcomes on balance, performance, and confidence perception.

Minimal Clinically Important Difference of Scales Reported in Stroke Trials: A Review

There is a growing awareness of the significance of using minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) in stroke research. An MCID is the smallest change in an outcome measure that is considered clinically meaningful. This review is the first to provide a comprehensive summary of various scales and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used in stroke research and their MCID values reported in the literature, including a concise overview of the concept of and methods for determining MCIDs in stroke research. Despite the controversies and limitations surrounding the estimation of MCIDs, their importance in modern clinical trials cannot be overstated. Anchor-based and distribution-based methods are recommended for estimating MCIDs, with patient self-evaluation being a crucial component in capturing the patient's perspective on their health. A combination of methods can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the clinical relevance of treatment effects, and incorporating the patient's perspective can enhance the care of stroke patients.

Biomechanical Gait Effects of a Single Intervention with Wearable Closed Loop Control FES System in Chronic Stroke Patients. A Proof-of-Concept Pilot Study

Foot drop is a gait disturbance characterized by difficulty in performing ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of the gait cycle. Current available evidence shows that functional electrical stimulation (FES) on the musculature responsible for dorsal ankle flexion during gait can have positive effects on walking ability. This study aims to present a proof of concept for a novel easy-to-use FES system and evaluates the biomechanical effects during gait in stroke patients, compared to unassisted walking. Gait was quantitatively evaluated in a movement analysis laboratory for five subjects with chronic stroke, in basal condition without assistance and in gait assisted with FES. Improvements were found in all temporospatial parameters during FES-assisted gait, evidenced by statistically significant differences only in gait speed (p=0.02). Joint kinematics showed positive changes in hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion variables during the swing phase of the gait cycle. No significant differences were found in the Gait Deviation Index. In conclusion, the present pilot study demonstrates that the use of this FES system in the tibialis anterior muscle can cause gait functional improvements in subjects with foot drop due to chronic stroke.

Derivation of the Gait Deviation Index for Spinal Cord Injury

The Gait Deviation Index (GDI) is a dimensionless multivariate measure of overall gait pathology represented as a single score that indicates the gait deviation from a normal gait average. It is calculated using kinematic data recorded during a three-dimensional gait analysis and an orthonormal vectorial basis with 15 gait features that was originally obtained using singular value decomposition and feature analysis on a dataset of children with cerebral palsy. Ever since, it has been used as an outcome measure to study gait in several conditions, including spinal cord injury (SCI). Nevertheless, the validity of implementing the GDI in a population with SCI has not been studied yet. We investigate the application of these mathematical methods to derive a similar metric but with a dataset of adults with SCI (SCI-GDI). The new SCI-GDI is compared with the original GDI to evaluate their differences and assess the need for a specific GDI for SCI and with the WISCI II to evaluate its sensibility. Our findings show that a 21-feature basis is necessary to account for most of the variance in gait patterns in the SCI population and to provide high-quality reconstructions of the gait curves included in the dataset and in foreign data. Furthermore, using only the first 15 features of our SCI basis, the fidelity of the reconstructions obtained in our population is higher than that when using the basis of the original GDI. The results showed that the SCI-GDI discriminates most levels of the WISCI II scale, except for levels 12 and 18. Statistically significant differences were found between both indexes within each WISCI II level except for 12, 20, and the control group (p < 0.05). In all levels, the average GDI value was greater than the average SCI-GDI value, but the difference between both indexes is larger in data with greater impairment and it reduces progressively toward a normal gait pattern. In conclusion, the implementation of the original GDI in SCI may lead to overestimation of gait function, and our new SCI-GDI is more sensitive to larger gait impairment than the GDI. Further validation of the SCI-GDI with other scales validated in SCI is needed.

Three decades of gait index development: A comparative review of clinical and research gait indices

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of indices have been developed to quantify gait performance markers and associate them with their respective pathologies. Indices scores have enabled better decisions regarding patient treatments and allowed for optimized monitoring of the evolution of their condition. The extensive range of human gait indices presented over the last 30 years is evaluated and summarized in this narrative literature review exploring their application in clinical and research environments.

METHODS

The analysis will explore historical and modern gait indices, focusing on the clinical efficacy with respect to their proposed pathology, age range, and associated parameter limits. Features, methods, and clinically acceptable errors are discussed while simultaneously assessing indices advantages and disadvantages. This review analyses all indices published between 1994 and February 2021 identified using the Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases.

FINDINGS

A total of 30 indices were identified as noteworthy for clinical and research purposes and another 137 works were included for discussion. The indices were divided in three major groups: observational (13), instrumented (16) and hybrid (1). The instrumented indices were further sub-divided in six groups, namely kinematic- (4), spatiotemporal- (5), kinetic- (2), kinematic- and kinetic- (2), electromyographic- (1) and Inertial Measurement Unit-based indices (2).

INTERPRETATION

This work is one of the first reviews to summarize observational and instrumented gait indices, exploring their applicability in research and clinical contexts. The aim of this review is to assist members of these communities with the selection of the proper index for the group in analysis.

Application of the Gait Deviation Index to Study Gait Impairment in Adult Population With Spinal Cord Injury: Comparison With the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury Levels

The Gait Deviation Index (GDI) is a multivariate measure of overall gait pathology based on 15 gait features derived from three-dimensional (3D) kinematic data. GDI aims at providing a comprehensive, easy to interpret, and clinically meaningful metric of overall gait function. It has been used as an outcome measure to study gait in several conditions: cerebral palsy (CP), post-stroke hemiparetic gait, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease, among others. Nevertheless, its use in population with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) has not been studied yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the applicability of the GDI to SCI through the assessment of the relationship of the GDI with the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) II. 3D gait kinematics of 34 patients with incomplete SCI (iSCI) was obtained. Besides, 3D gait kinematics of a sample of 50 healthy volunteers (HV) was also gathered with Codamotion motion capture system. A total of 302 (iSCI) and 446 (HV) strides were collected. GDI was calculated for each stride and grouped for each WISCI II level. HV data were analyzed as an additional set. Normal distribution for each group was assessed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Afterward, ANOVA tests were performed between each pair of WISCI II levels to identify differences among groups (p < 0.05). The results showed that the GDI was normally distributed across all WISCI II levels in both iSCI and HV groups. Furthermore, our results showed an increasing relationship between the GDI values and WISCI II levels in subjects with iSCI, but only discriminative in WISCI II levels 13, 19, and 20. The index successfully distinguished HV group from all the individuals with iSCI. Findings of this study indicated that the GDI is not an appropriate multivariate walking metric to represent the deviation of gait pattern in adult population with iSCI from a normal gait profile when it is compared with the levels of walking impairment described by the WISCI II. Future work should aim at defining and validating an overall gait index derived from 3D kinematic gait variables appropriate for SCI, additionally taking into account other walking ability outcome measures.

Residual Deformity and Outcome of Ambulatory Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Long-term Longitudinal Assessment

BACKGROUND

Advances in pediatric orthopaedic care have improved mobility and function for children with cerebral palsy (CP) as mobility declines from adolescence into adulthood. The long-term effectiveness of modern orthopaedic care is not widely reported. This study aimed to report the pediatric orthopaedic surgical burden, residual deformities, and outcomes using objective evidence of mobility in ambulatory adults with CP.

METHODS

An institutional review board-approved prospective cohort study was performed in ambulatory adults with CP between 25 and 45 years, who had an adolescent gait analysis. Orthopaedic interventions were reviewed, and adolescent and adult gait analyses were compared using paired 2-tailed t tests. Adults were categorized by the presence of no, mild, or severe residual deformities in rotation, crouch, stiff knee, equinus, and foot deformity.

RESULTS

Of 106 adults with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) distribution was grade I (22%), II (50%), III (23%), and IV (5%). Sixty-one males and 45 females were tested. The average age was 30±4 years with follow-up of 13±4 years since previous analysis; 279 surgical events (1165 procedures) were performed with a mean per patient of 2.6 events and 11 procedures. Comm on procedures were gastrocsoleus complex (88%) and hamstring lengthening (79%). The mean gait deviation index at adolescent and adult visit were 72.7±13 and 72.3±13 (P=0.78). Mean gait velocity at the adolescent visit was 85±27 and 79±31 cm/s at adult visit (P=0.02). Both gait deviation index and gait velocity change were clinically insignificant. Fifty-seven adults (81 limbs, 54%) had mild residual deformities. Residual hip internal rotation, pes planovalgus, and crouch gait were common. Severe deformities impacting function or causing pain were present in 11 participants (14 limbs, 10%). Seven of the 11 adults with severe deformities were worse compared with their adolescent evaluation; 4 were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Correcting deformities before adulthood has lasting stability with little functional loss in most ambulatory young adults with CP. Increasing deformity after adolescence can occur in young adults but is uncommon.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Mobility and gait in adults with cerebral palsy: Evaluating change from adolescence

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have looked at the short-term effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatment of children with cerebral palsy (CP), but few have explored the long-term outcomes into adulthood using gait analysis and patient-reported outcome measures.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How do gait, mobility, and patient-reported outcomes in adults with CP who received specialized pediatric orthopedic care change from adolescence?

METHODS

We identified 645 adults with 1) CP, 2) age 25-45 years, and 3) an adolescent instrumented gait analysis (IGA) at our center. Measurement outcomes included physical examination, IGA, and select domains of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

RESULTS

Participants included 136 adults with CP; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I (21 %), II (51 %), III (22 %), and IV (7%); 57 % males; and average age 16 ± 3/29 ± 3 years (adolescent/adult visits). There was no significant difference in gait deviation index, stride length, or gross motor function between adolescent and adult visits. There were statistically significant but not clinically meaningful declines in gait velocity. At adulthood, PROMIS results revealed limitations in physical function compared with a normative sample but no differences in depression, participation, or pain interference.

SIGNIFICANCE

In this relatively homogeneous group of adults with CP who received orthopedic care from one center, gait and gross motor function showed no clinically meaningful change from adolescence, which differs from recent reports of declining mobility in adulthood. Expert orthopedic care, guided by IGA, may prevent losses in functional mobility for adults with CP.

Effects of lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy on gait and balance of chronic hemiparetic patients after stroke: description of a study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Protocols involving intensive practice have shown positive outcomes. Constraint induced movement therapy (CIT) appears to be one of the best options for better outcomes in upper limb rehabilitation, but we still have little data about lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (LE-CIT) and its effects on gait and balance.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of an LE-CIT protocol on gait functionality and balance in chronic hemiparetic patients following a stroke.

METHODS

The study adopts a randomized, controlled, single-blinded study design. Forty-two patients, who suffered a stroke, who were in the chronic phase of recovery (>6 months), with gait disability (no community gait), and who were able to walk at least 10 m with or without the advice or support of 1 person, will be randomly allocated to 2 groups: the LE-CIT group or the control group (intensive conventional therapy). People will be excluded if they have speech deficits that render them unable to understand and/or answer properly to evaluation scales and exercises selected for the protocol and/or if they have suffered any clinical event between the screening and the beginning of the protocol. Outcome will be assessed at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and after 6 months (T2). The outcome measures chosen for this trial are as follows: 6-min walk test (6minWT), 10-m walk test (10mWT), timed up and go (TUG), 3-D gait analysis (3DGA), Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), and as a secondary measure, Lower Extremity Motor Activity Log will be evaluated (LE-MAL). The participants in both groups will receive 15 consecutive days of daily exercise. The participants in the LE-CIT group will be submitted to this protocol 2.5 h/day for 15 consecutive days. It will include (1) intensive supervised training, (2) use of shaping as strategy for motor training, and (3) application of a transfer package (plus 30 min). The control group will receive conventional physiotherapy for 2.5 h/day over 15 consecutive days (the same period as the CIT intervention). Repeated measures analyses will be made to compare differences and define clinically relevant changes between groups.

RESULTS

Data collection is currently on-going and results are expected in 2021.

DISCUSSION

LE-CIT seems to be a good protocol for inclusion into stroke survivors' rehabilitation as it has all the components needed for positive results, as well as intensity and transference of gains to daily life activities.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br RBR-467cv6 . Registered on 10 October 2017. "Effects of Lower Extremities - Constraint Induced Therapy on gait and balance function in chronic hemipretic post-stroke patients".

Comparison of gait recovery patterns according to the paralyzed side in stroke patients: An observational study based on a retrospective chart review (STROBE compliant)

Gait rehabilitations have been abundantly performed for post-stroke patients, because gait is the most important factor for the return of post-stroke patients to daily life. However, conventional uniform gait rehabilitations tend to be tedious and reduce motivation. The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of personalized rehabilitation of gait by identifying differences in gait recovery pattern according to the paralyzed side of post-stroke patients.The gait analysis was performed on stroke patients who are right-handed and can walk independently. We retrospectively analyzed the results of pelvic movements and displacement of center of pressure (COP) during gait using corresponding equipments. To show the difference of gait recovery pattern according to the paralyzed side, we divided subjects into two groups, right (n = 19) and left (n = 20) hemiparesis group. The measured variables were as follows: tilt, obliquity, and rotation symmetries of pelvis; area, velocity, and lateral symmetry of COP.First, in the left hemiparesis group, obliquity (P < .01) and rotation (P < .01) symmetries of the movement of the pelvis were significantly improved in the follow-up compared to the initial gait analysis. In the right hemiparesis group, tilt (P < .001), obliquity (P < .001), and rotation (P < .05) symmetries were significantly improved in the follow-up compared to the initial gait analysis. Second, COP area and COP velocity values in the follow-up were significantly smaller than those in the initial gait analysis in the left (P < .001, P < .05) and right (P < .001, P < .01) hemiparesis groups. The positive value of lateral symmetry increased, although not a significant difference statistically, as walking ability improved in both groups. In the correlation analysis among variables obtained using Treadmill, there were significant positive linear relationships between the lateral symmetry and the COP area (P < .05), and between the COP velocity and the lateral symmetry (P < .001) of the follow-up gait analysis in the right hemiparesis group.It was confirmed that the gait recovery pattern differs according to the paralyzed side of post-stroke patients and the role of the intact side, such as moving the COP to the intact side, is important for the improvement of gait function in both groups.This study was registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) of the Korea National Institute of Health (NIH), Republic of Korea (KCT0002984) and was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the WKUGH (WKIRB [2018-25], November 28, 2018).

SWEAT2 Study: Effectiveness of Trunk Training on Gait and Trunk Kinematics After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Trunk training after stroke is an effective method for improving mobility, yet underlying associations leading to the observed mobility carryover effects are unknown. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of trunk training for gait and trunk kinematics and to find explanatory variables for the mobility carryover effects.

METHODS

This study was an assessor-masked, randomized controlled trial. Participants received either additional trunk training (n = 19) or cognitive training (n = 20) after subacute stroke. Outcome measures were the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), the Trunk Impairment Scale, spatiotemporal gait parameters, center-of-mass excursions, and trunk and lower limb kinematics during walking. Multivariate analysis with post hoc analysis was performed to observe treatment effects. Correlation and an exploratory regression analysis were used to examine associations with the mobility carryover effects.

RESULTS

Significant improvements after trunk training, compared with the findings for the control group, were found for the Trunk Impairment Scale, Tinetti POMA, walking speed, step length, step width, horizontal/vertical center-of-mass excursions, and trunk kinematics. No significant differences were observed in lower limb kinematics. Anteroposterior excursions of the trunk were associated with 30% of the variability in the mobility carryover effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Carryover effects of trunk control were present during ambulation. Decreased anteroposterior movements of the thorax were the main variable explaining higher scores on the Tinetti POMA Gait subscale. However, the implementation and generalizability of this treatment approach in a clinical setting are laborious and limited, necessitating further research.

IMPACT

Trunk training is an effective strategy for improving mobility after stroke. Regaining trunk control should be considered an important treatment goal early after stroke to adequately prepare patients for walking.

Application of the Gait Deviation Index in the analysis of post-stroke hemiparetic gait

Due to the complexity and volume of kinematic data from 3-dimensional gait analysis, the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) was introduced as a summary measure providing a global picture of gait kinematic data, however previously it was not validated as an outcome measure in individuals after stroke. The present study investigated the concurrent validity of the GDI as an outcome measure of gait defects at a chronic stage of recovery post-stroke, through comparisons with conventional measures of gait. Those enrolled included 65 individuals after stroke and 65 healthy individuals without gait disorders, matched for age and gender. The kinematic gait parameters were measured using a movement analysis system. Walking speed, walking distance, number of steps, self-reliant mobility, cadence, step length, and single support time were evaluated. Strong correlation was found between cadence and mGDI as well as GDI for the affected leg (0.7 ≤ |R| < 0.9; p < 0.001). Moderate correlations were found between walking speed, number of steps, step length affected leg and mGDI as well as GDI for the affected leg (0.5 ≤ |R| < 0.7; p < 0.001). Low correlations were found between walking distance, self-reliant mobility, single support time affected leg and mGDI as well as GDI for the affected leg (0.3 ≤ |R| < 0.5; p < 0.001; p < 0.005). The findings confirm the concurrent validity of the GDI, but only for the affected leg and mGDI in post-stroke patients. On the other hand, the GDI for unaffected leg may be useful in efforts to identify any compensatory mechanisms developing in post-stroke gait patterns. Trial registration: anzctr.org.au, ID:ACTRN12617000436370. Registered 24 March 2017.

The Gait Deviation Index as an indicator of gait abnormality among degenerative spinal pathologies

INTRODUCTION

The Gait Deviation Index (GDI) is a composite measure of gait abnormality derived from lower-limb joint range-of-motion which is increasingly being reported for clinical gait analysis among neurologic and orthopedic patients. A GDI score of 100 is representative of healthy individuals and decreasing scores represent a greater abnormality. Preliminary data is needed to help assess the utility of GDI as a measure of compromised gait among spine patients and to provide reference values for commonly treated pathologies.

METHODS

GDI scores were obtained from healthy adults and four symptomatic degeneration groups: cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS), and single-level lumbar degeneration (LD). Clinical gait analysis was done using a three-dimensional motion tracking system. Evaluations were done 1 week prior to surgical intervention for degeneration groups. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare degenerative cohorts to healthy controls and for inter-cohort comparisons. Pearson correlations were used to test for significant relationships between GDI and walking speed.

RESULTS

Degenerative cohorts all showed significantly lower (worse) GDI scores compared to healthy (all p < 0.001). CSM patients showed the best GDI scores with an average of 90, and LD patients showed the worst GDI scores with an average of 86. Worsening GDI significantly correlated with decreased walking speed among ADS patients.

CONCLUSION

Composite metrics like GDI provide a tempting means to summarize nuanced and complex gait characteristics into a single, comparable value among cohorts. The results of this study provide preliminary GDI scores for common degenerative spine pathologies. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Are we supererestimating gait assessments of patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus?

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a syndrome characterized by a triad composed of cognitive alteration, urinary incontinence, and gait impairment associated with ventricular enlargement and normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Gait impairment is among the earliest symptoms; however, the reliability of the evaluation is not well-established and no consensus has been reaching regarding variables that should be analyzed and which parameters should be considered to accurately assess post-intervention improvement.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Are the degree of repeatability, standard error of measurement, and minimum detectable change considered to detect changes in gait variables in iNPH patients?

METHODS

A total of 84 iNPH patients with a mean age of 77.1 (±6.4) years were analyzed. Gait deviation index (GDI), speed, cadence, cycle time, stride length, single support, and first and second double support were chosen as the variables to be analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed by an independent evaluator, with gait repeatability assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of measure (SEM).

RESULTS

ICC values were 0.76-0.85 with excellent repeatability, while SEM demonstrated that the variables with best repeatability were the GDI (mean, 4.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.63-5.43), representing a 7.65% mean relative error of the measurement (mean, 0.05 m; 95% CI, 0.05-0.06), and stride length (mean 0.05 m; 95% CI, 0.05-0.06), with a 7.69% mean relative error.

SIGNIFICANCE

We concluded that GDI and stride length were the variables with the best repeatability and lower variability in the gait of iNPH patients.

Center of mass in analysis of dynamic stability during gait following stroke: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The Center of mass (CoM) analysis reveals important aspects of gait dynamic stability of stroke patients, but the variety of methods and measures represents a challenge for planning new studies.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How have the CoM measures been calculated and employed to investigate gait stability after a stroke? Three issues were addressed: (i) the methodological aspects of the calculation of CoM measures; (ii) the purposes and (iii) the conclusions of the studies on gait stability that employed those measures.

METHODS

PubMed and Science Direct databases have been searched to collect original articles produced until July 2017. A set of 26 studies were selected according to criteria involving their methodological quality.

RESULTS

A compromise between accuracy and feasibility in CoM calculation could be reached using the segmental method with 7-9 segments. Regarding their purposes, two types of studies were identified: clinical and research oriented. From the first ones, we highlighted: the margin of stability (MoS) in the mediolateral (ML) direction, and the angular momentum in the frontal plane could be indicators of dynamical stability; the MoS in the anteroposterior (AP) direction might be able to detect the risk of falls and the symmetry of vertical CoM displacement could be used to analyze energy expenditure during gait. These and other CoM measures are potentially useful in clinical settings, but their psychometric properties are still to be determined. The research oriented studies allowed to clarify that stability is not improved by widening the step in stroke patients and that the impaired control of the non-paretic limb might be the main source of instability.

SIGNIFICANCE

This review provides recommendations on the methods for estimating CoM and its measures, identifies the potential usefulness of CoM parameters and indicates issues that could be addressed in future studies.

Patient-selected music rhythmically-paired with in-patient rehabilitation: A case report on an individual with acute stroke

Background: Stroke can result in disabling impairments, affecting functional mobility, balance, and gait. Individualized in-patient rehabilitation interventions improve balance and gait in patients with stroke. Rhythmic pairing of personally-selected music with rehabilitation interventions can be a practical form of personalized therapy that could improve functional outcomes. Objective: To describe an in-patient rehabilitation intervention that rhythmically paired patient-selected music with rehabilitative interventions for a patient with acute stroke. Case Description: The patient was a 48-year old male who sustained a right thalamic hemorrhagic stroke eight days prior to admittance to the in-patient rehabilitation facility. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (Balance), Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment-Gait portion (POMA-G) (Gait), and Functional Independence Measure® (FIM) Motor were completed on Day 1, Day 4, and Day 16 (Discharge) during the patient's in-patient rehabilitation stay. Outcomes: From intake to discharge, balance, gait and functional mobility significantly increased by 35, 9, and 31 points, respectively. Likewise, the patient reported positive attitudes toward the novel intervention. Conclusion: Incorporating patient-selected music with in-patient physical rehabilitation may be a feasible intervention for patients with acute stroke. Further research with an adequate sample size that randomly assigns patients to music and control conditions is necessary to confirm the promising findings from this case report.

[Top-down and bottom-up approaches for the treatment of unilateral spatial neglect in stroke patients: A systematic review]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of top-down and bottom-up approaches in the rehabilitation of unilateral spatial neglect in stroke patients.

METHODOLOGY

We carried out a systematic review of randomized controlled trials from January of 2013 to March of 2017. The following databases were searched: Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Pubmed and CINHAL. The methodological quality, level of scientific evidence and the strength of recommendation were evaluated.

RESULTS

We included 13 studies (294 subjects): nine studies (188 patients) carried out therapies with a bottom-up approach such us eye patching, virtual reality, optokinetic stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation and prism adaption; three studies (94 patients) evaluated therapies with a top-down approach such us visual scanning, sensory feedback and mental practice; one study incorporated both approaches. Nine of these studies showed improvements in spatial neglect scales; five of these used bottom-up approaches, another three used top-down approaches and the remaining study combined both approaches. Disability was evaluated by nine studies, and only three reported improvements. Three studies reported significant improvements in motor function in the intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Top-down and bottom-up approaches could improve unilateral spatial neglect, disability and motor function in patients with stroke.

Relationship Between Observational Wisconsin Gait Scale, Gait Deviation Index, and Gait Variability Index in Individuals Poststroke

OBJECTIVE

To compare results of the observational Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) and global gait indexes such as Gait Deviation Index (GDI) and Gait Variability Index (GVI), constituting an objective method of assessing gait, and taking into account parameters identified during 3-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA).

DESIGN

A validation study.

SETTING

Rehabilitation clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 50 individuals poststroke and 50 individuals without stroke and without gait disorders (N=100).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Gait was evaluated using the WGS. GDI and GVI values were acquired using a movement analysis system. The global gait indexes GDI and GVI were determined based on the kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters, respectively.

RESULTS

The study showed statistically significant correlations between the parameters of GDI affected leg and WGS total score (R=-0.87), GVI affected leg and WGS total score (R=-0.93), GVI unaffected leg and WGS total score (R=-0.88), GVI affected/unaffected leg and the total score in the assessment of spatiotemporal parameters on the WGS (R=-0.81) as well as GDI affected leg and the total score in the assessment of kinematics parameters on the WGS (R=-0.85). All correlations were strong (0.7<|R|<0.9) or very strong (0.9<|R|<1).

CONCLUSIONS

WGS scores have a strong or very strong correlation with GDI and GVI. The WGS may be recommended as a substitute tool to be used when 3DGA is unavailable, as it is a useful ordinal scale, enabling simple and accurate observational assessment of gait in patients poststroke, with effectiveness that is comparable to the GDI and GVI.

Comparison of recovery patterns of gait patterns according to the paralyzed side in Korean stroke patients: Protocol for a retrospective chart review

INTRODUCTION

In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), diseases on the left or right side of the human body have been treated differently according to the theory of Donguibogam, which is an encyclopedic source for TKM. In the Wind chapter of Donguibogam, left hemiparesis due to stroke is called Tan, a sort of Hyeol-Byeong, and right hemiparesis due to stroke is called Tan, a sort of Gi-Byeong. As neuroscience develops, it has been shown that the functions of the left and right hemispheres differ, as do the symptoms caused by differently located lesions in the brain. In light of these recent findings and the theory of Donguibogam, it may be useful when treating patients in clinical practice to consider the side of the human body on which symptoms appear. The aim here is to establish whether side-dependent treatments are more effective in treating patients with symptoms on different sides of the body. Specifically, this exploratory study investigates changes in gait pattern among stroke patients with hemiparesis or hemiplegia during gait recovery.

METHODS

To develop this protocol, a retrospective review of charts will be used to assess differences in gait recovery patterns among stroke patients with left or right hemiparesis, using gait analysis systems that include GAITRite, G-walk, and Treadmill. The data will be selected from gait analysis performed more than twice in the period from September 1, 2017 to June 31, 2018 at Wonkwang University Gwangju Hospital (WKUGH).

RESULTS

The primary outcomes include spatiotemporal parameters obtained using GAITRite (FAP, velocity, step length, swing time, and stance time); symmetric parameters obtained using G-walk (tilt, obliquity, and pelvis rotation symmetry); and center of pressure (COP) area and velocity as measured by Treadmill.

DISCUSSION

This will be the first study to analyze the gait recovery pattern of stroke patients according to the paralyzed side by comparing spatiotemporal, symmetric, and COP parameters using gait analysis systems. Like all retrospective studies, the present research was subject to certain limitations related to bias (selection bias, recall bias, misclassification bias, confounding value bias), difficulty in assessing temporal relationships, and small sample size. However, these limitations were of less significance here because gait parameters and body side of symptoms of hemiplegia or hemiparesis are relatively clear.

CONCLUSION

If the use of gait analysis systems (GAITRite, G-walk, and Treadmill) confirms differences in gait recovery pattern among stroke patients according to the paralyzed side, the findings will provide essential evidence for differential treatment of stroke patients on that basis.

Knee function after limb salvage surgery for malignant bone tumor: comparison of megaprosthesis and distal femur allograft with epiphysis sparing

PURPOSE

Limb salvage surgery is increasingly used for the treatment of distal femur bone sarcomas. Total knee replacement using megaprosthesis and epiphysis-sparing biologic reconstruction using an allograft are widely used in order to preserve joint motion. We aimed to compare the results of these procedures using gait analysis in patients undergoing limb salvage surgery.

METHODS

Fifteen patients were included, nine undergoing allograft with epiphysis sparing (Allograft group) and six undergoing megaprosthesis (Megaprosthesis group). Every patient underwent a gait analysis using the Plug-in-Gait protocol. Spatiotemporal parameters, knee kinematics, and kinetics were compared between the two groups and a cohort of ten asymptomatic subjects. Knee function was assessed by the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) and the Gilette Gait Index (GGI).

RESULTS

Both treatment groups showed decreased knee flexion during the loading response phase. Megaprosthesis patients showed a decreased knee flexion all along stance phase. There was no difference in gait pattern between the treatment groups. GDI was significantly lower in Megaprosthesis and Allograft patients when compared to controls (86.4 and 84.3 vs 94, all p < 0.05). This difference was not clinically relevant.

CONCLUSION

Our study reveals that Megaprosthesis and Allograft patients did not show differences in gait patterns and global function. Even though Allograft and Megaprosthesis patients have significant changes in gait pattern, knee function is acceptable with effective gait mechanisms. Changes occur during stance phase and are due to the quadriceps weakness. The particular pattern of gait in Megaprosthesis patients could be a concern for prosthesis wear and should be investigated on this specific aspect.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.