Prediction of gait velocity in ambulatory stroke patients during rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: To quantify prediction of gait velocity in ambulatory stroke patients during rehabilitation. Design: Single group (n = 42) at the beginning of rehabilitation (Test 1) and 8 weeks later (Test 2). Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation. Patients: Unilateral first stroke; informed consent; able to walk 10 meters. Measures: Independent Variables: Gait velocity at Test 1, age, time from stroke to Test 1, side of lesion, neglect. Dependent variables: Gait velocity at Test 2, gait velocity change. Results: The correlation between initial gait velocity and gait velocity outcome at Test 2 was of moderate strength (r2 = .62, p < .05). However, even at its lowest, the standard error of prediction..