Reference value of 6-minute walk distance in patients with sub-acute stroke

Cutoff values of motor and cognitive measures for predicting and discriminating levels of activities of daily living after stroke: a scoping review

The various assessments performed by rehabilitation professionals not only indicate the patient's current functional status but can also help determine the future status (prediction) or the ability to perform untested tasks (discrimination). In particular, the cutoff values are the simplest predictive and discriminative tool that can be widely used in clinical practice. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the current literature on cutoff values of motor and cognitive function for predicting or discriminating levels of activities of daily living after stroke. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. The creation of the search criteria, primary screening of titles and abstract, and secondary screening by full-text review were performed by two rehabilitation professionals. A total of 54 articles were included. The summary of the cutoff values for prediction based on longitudinal studies revealed that an NIHSS score ≤8 and mRMI score ≥19 at acute hospitalization can predict good functional independence and walking independence, respectively, indicating reliable cutoff values. Cutoff values for predicting specific ADLs, such as toilet use or dressing, were not reported, which was a potential research gap identified in this review. Alternatively, the summary of the cutoff values for discrimination based on cross-sectional studies revealed that 288-367.5 m on the 6-min walk test and 25.5-27.6 points on the FMA-LL can discriminate community and noncommunity walkers. Considering the difference between prediction and discrimination, the reliable predicted cutoff values revealed in this review are useful for planning an intervention based on early prediction. Conversely, cutoff values for discrimination can estimate different performances with simpler test, or use as target values during rehabilitation.

Activities of daily living in lower limb amputees with a bone-anchored prosthesis: a retrospective case series with 24 months' follow-up

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Little is known about the activities of daily living (ADL) of patients with a bone-anchored prosthesis (BAP). We aimed to objectively measure ADL without and with BAP during standard care of follow-up. Our secondary aim was to measure mobility and walking ability.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients aged 18-99 years who underwent surgery for transfemoral or transtibial BAP between September 11, 2017, and February 11, 2021, were eligible for inclusion in this retrospective case series of patients with socket prosthesis. ADL was measured with a continuous recording activity monitor (hours [h]) before surgery, and at 6, 12, and 24 months with BAP. Mobility and walking ability were assessed by the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) (seconds [s]) and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) (meters [m]), respectively.

RESULTS

48 of the 57 eligible patients provided informed consent and were included. Their age was 59 (1st quartile to 3rd quartile 51-63) years. Total daily activity before BAP was 1.6 h (0.82-2.1) and increased to 2.1 h (1.4-2.5) at 6, 2.0 h (1.5-2.7) at 12, and 2.7 h (2.0-3.3) at 24 months with BAP. Daily walking increased from 1.3 h (0.79-1.9) before BAP to 1.8 h (1.6-2.3) at 6, to 1.7 h (1.2-2.4) at 12, and 2.0 h (1.6-2.6) at 24 months. Median TUG decreased from 12 s (9.1-14) before BAP to 8.9 s (7.7-10) at 24 months. Mean 6MWT increased from 272 m (SD 92) before BAP to 348 m (SD 68) at 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Objective measurements on ADL positively changed in patients with BAP. This effect was also seen in mobility and walking ability at 24 months.

Predictive discriminative accuracy of walking abilities at discharge for community ambulation levels at 6 months post-discharge among inpatients with subacute stroke

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the predictive accuracy of walking ability at discharge among subacute stroke inpatients at 6 months post-discharge in terms of community ambulation level and establish optimal cut-off values. [Participants and Methods] This prospective observational study included 78 patients who completed follow-up assessments. Patients were classified into three groups based on the Modified Functional Walking Category (household/most limited community walkers, least limited community walkers, and unlimited community walkers) obtained by telephone survey at 6 months post-discharge. Predictive accuracy and cut-off values for discriminating among groups were calculated from 6-minute walking distance and comfortable walking speed measured at the time of discharge using receiver operating characteristic curves. [Results] Between household/most limited and least limited community walkers, 6-minute walking distance and comfortable walking speed offered similar predictive accuracy (area under the curve, 0.6-0.7), with cut-off values of 195 m and 0.56 m/s, respectively. Between least limited and unlimited community walkers, the areas under the curve were 0.896 for 6-minute walking distance and 0.844 for comfortable walking speed, with cut-off values of 299 m and 0.94 m/s, respectively. [Conclusion] Walking endurance and walking speed among inpatients with subacute stroke provided superior predictive accuracy for unlimited community walkers at 6 months post-discharge.

Daily steps are associated with walking ability in hospitalized patients with sub-acute stroke

Increased physical activity is required in patients with stroke that are hospitalized in the rehabilitation unit. This study investigated the association between the daily number of steps and walking independence in order to determine the cutoff value of daily number of steps that can predict walking independence in hospitalized patients with sub-acute stroke. This cross-sectional observational study included 85 stroke patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit. The average daily number of steps was measured using Fitbit One for 4 days starting at 30 days after stroke onset. 6-min walk test, and Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremities were measured The category of walking independence was classified using the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC). The subjects were divided into two groups according to the FAC score: a walking independence group (FAC ≥ 4) and a walking non-independence group (FAC ≤ 3). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association of daily number of steps with walking independence and a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the cutoff value of daily number of steps for predicting walking independence. The daily number of steps (per 1000 steps) was independently associated with walking independence (odds ratio (OR); 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.40–5.73, p = 0.009). The cutoff value of daily number of steps for predicting independent walking was 4286 steps (area under the curve = 0.914, sensitivity of 0.731, and specificity of 0.949). The daily number of steps was associated with independent walking in hospitalized patients with sub-acute stroke. The daily number of steps may be a useful target in rehabilitation for patients with sub-acute stroke.

Does noninvasive cerebellar stimulation improve the balance and walking function of patients with stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

Investigating the efficacy and safety of noninvasive cerebellar stimulation in improving the balance and walking function of patients with stroke.

METHODS

We searched 7 databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to noninvasive cerebellar stimulation in the treatment of stroke. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and Barthel Index (BI) were used as the outcome indexes to evaluate balance, walking and activities of daily living (ADL). The quality of the research was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the difference between the noninvasive cerebellar stimulation and control groups. Heterogeneity tests were performed to assess differences in treatment effects across noninvasive cerebellar stimulation modalities. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included, and 5 articles (71.43%) were rated as having a low risk of bias. Among the primary outcome indicators, 4 of the 7 articles were combined into the fixed effect model (I2 = 38%, P = .18). Compared with the control group, noninvasive cerebellar stimulation improved the BBS score, and the difference was statistically significant (mean difference [MD]: 3.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-5.40, P = .03); the sensitivity analysis showed that the statistical model was still stable after sequentially eliminating each article. Compared with the control group, noninvasive cerebellar stimulation improved the 6MWT results of patients with stroke (MD: 25.29, 95% CI: 4.86-45.73, P = .02). However, noninvasive cerebellar stimulation did not improve the BI (MD: 15.61, 95% CI: -7.91 to 39.13, P = .19). No safety problems or adverse reactions to noninvasive cerebellar stimulation were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive cerebellar stimulation improves balance and walking function of patients with stroke, but its effect on ADL is uncertain. Due to the methodological weaknesses in the included trials, more RCTs are needed to confirm our conclusions.

The effect of anterior ankle-foot orthosis and posterior ankle-foot orthosis on functional ambulation in stroke patients

Background

The goal of rehabilitation after stroke is to restore safe and sufficient function to hemiplegic patients, and prescription of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) to improve speed and functional ambulation is a part of this program.

Objective

This crossover randomized interventional study aimed to evaluate the effect of an anterior ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO) and posterior leaf-spring ankle-foot orthosis (PLS AFO) on speed and functional ambulation in hemiplegic stroke patients.

Method

Clinical assessments were performed on 11 hemiplegic stroke patients by the AAFO, PLS AFO, and wearing shoes. Functional ambulation was measured by the 6-min walking test, Timed Up and Go Test, Time Up and Down Stair Test, and Functional Ambulation Category. Walking speed was measured by the 10-m test.

Results

Both PLS AFO and AAFO significantly improved the performance of TUDS and TUG tests in hemiplegic patients. However, by using PLS AFO, walking distance was significantly greater than walking with shoes. There was no significant effect on the walking speed improvement using PLS AFO or AAFO compared to wearing shoes.

Conclusions

The positive effects of the AAFO and PLS AFO on functional ambulation were significant. By using PLS AFO, hemiplegic patients could walk a longer distance than wearing shoes.

Relation of exercise capacity to comprehensive physical functions in individuals with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Impaired motor control, balance, muscle strength, and respiratory function may affect the exercise capacity related to motor performance and activities in individuals with stroke.

OBJECTIVE

To identify a physical parameter that the exercise capacity has the most significant relationship among physical parameters related to motor function, trunk control, balance, and motor performance and activities in individuals with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

In total, 241 ischemic stroke patients were recruited in this retrospective study. The clinical measurements included the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Fugl-Meyer assessment-lower extremity motor function (FMA-LE), trunk impairment scale (TIS), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), functional ambulation category (FAC), and functional independence measure (FIM).

RESULTS

The 6 MWT was significantly correlated with the FMA-LE, BBS, TUG, 10 MWT, FAC, and FIM, indicating negative or positive moderate correlations. Additionally, the FMA-LE, TIS, BBS, TUG, 10 MWT, FAC, and FIM, excluding the 6 MWT, showed moderate to strong correlations with all of the other outcome measures, whereas the MoCA showed significant correlations only with the BBS and FIM.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the exercise capacity has the most significant relationship with the TUG parameter in stroke patients. Additionally, we suggest that significant relationships between 6 MWT and other comprehensive physical functions measurements are closely related to walking ability in individuals with stroke.