earticle

영어

This study aimed to evaluate the factors related to the ability of ambulatory patients with stroke to walk over vertical obstacles. Thirty patients who were able to walk independently for at least 10m were recruited for the study. Participants were required to walk over obstacles (1, 4, and 8㎝ height; A ‘fail’ was recorded when either the lower limbs or the walking device contacted the obstacle. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the effects of sex, age, walking aid, Paralytic side (right hemiplegia and left hemiplegia), body mass index, dynamic gait index and score of Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale on the ability of obstacle crossing. The failure rate in crossing the 1-㎝ obstacle was affected by the use of walking aid (p<.05). The failure rates in crossing 4㎝ and 8㎝ obstacles were also affected by use of walking aid and was determined by the score of Dynamic gait index (DGI). This assessment can predict the gait ability in the community of the stroke-hemiplegic patients. Based on these evaluations, it can be suggested that the clinical characteristics of patients should be taken into account while deciding treatment plans for specific patients.