Relationship Between Walking Capacity, Biopsychosocial Factors, Self-efficacy, and Walking Activity in Persons Poststroke.
Kelly A Danks, Ryan T Pohlig, Margie Roos and 2 others
PMID 27548750WHAT IT FOUND
In people after stroke who could walk independently, daily steps were linked to walking balance, comorbidity burden, and self-efficacy.
When balance confidence was low, better walking capacity related more strongly to more steps.
Key findings
01Dynamic walking balance and energy cost of walking were significantly related to steps per day.
02After walking capacity was considered, depression, fatigue, and comorbidity burden did not significantly improve prediction of daily steps, but self-efficacy did.
03The relationship between dynamic walking balance and steps per day was stronger for participants with lower balance confidence.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study used a sample of 55 participants, which limited how many predictors and interactions could be tested. The findings apply only to people who were more than 3 months after stroke and could walk without assistance from another person. Oxygen consumption testing was done on a treadmill, and the paper says the effect of treadmill versus over-ground walking on oxygen consumption after stroke is not known. Participants had to be able to walk 5 minutes at a self-selected pace on a treadmill, so the results may not apply to people who cannot tolerate that test.
Declared interests
The publication types list NIH extramural research support. The supplied text does not state author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that improving balance confidence or walking capacity will increase daily steps. The paper measured relationships in people who could already walk without assistance, not a treatment effect.