Walking speed best explains perceived locomotion ability in ambulatory people with chronic stroke, assessed by the ABILOCO questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The identification of the predictors of locomotion ability could help professionals select variables to be considered during clinical evaluations and interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate which impairment measures would best predict locomotion ability in people with chronic stroke.

METHODS: Individuals (n=115) with a chronic stroke were assessed. Predictors were characteristics of the participants (i.e. age, sex, and time since stroke), motor impairments (i.e. muscle tonus, strength, and motor coordination), and activity limitation (i.e. walking speed). The outcome of interest was the ABILOCO scores, a self-reported questionnaire for the assessment of locomotion ability, designed specifically for individuals who have suffered a stroke.

RESULTS: Age, sex, and time since stroke did not significantly correlate with the ABILOCO scores (-0.07<ρ<0.05; 0.48<p<0.99). Measures of motor impairments and walking speed were significantly correlated with the ABILOCO scores (-0.25<r<0.57; p<0.001), but only walking speed and strength were kept in the regression model. Walking speed alone explained 35% (F=55.5; p<0.001) of the variance in self-reported locomotion ability. When strength was included in the model, the explained variance increased to 37% (F=31.4; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Walking speed and lower limb strength best predicted locomotion ability as perceived by individuals who have suffered a stroke.