ObjectiveTo assess the value of comfortable and maximum walking speed of outcome measuring for locomotion recovery after stroke.Methods10m walking speed of 32 stroke subjects who were able to walk independently were tested in the freely chosen and maximum. The motor function of the paretic lower limb and balance were evaluated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment,Berg Balance Scale and ambulatory item of Functional Independence Measure. The level of association between gait speeds and the clinical variables were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients.ResultsComfortable walking speed were significantly positively related to maximum walking speed(r=0.953,P<0.001),and balance, motor function of the lower limb and ambulatory function were significantly positively related to comfortable and maximum walking speed(r=0.742-0.834,P<0.001).The relationship between comfortable walking speed and clinical variables was higher(r=0.787-0.834,P<0.001).Conclusions Both comfortable and maximum walking speed can reflect locomotion recovery after stroke, but comfortable walking speed is more pragmatic,securer and more sensitive.

ObjectiveTo analyse the most important clinical variables determining walking speed in hemiparetic stroke patients.MethodsThirty-two stroke subjects were able to walk independently in the study.The freely chosen speed was determined by using 10m walking speed test.The motor function,strength of the paretic lower limb,and the balance were evaluated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Motricity Index,and Berg Balance Scale.Modified Ashworth Scale was used to assess the muscle tone of the plantarflexors.The level of association between walking speed and the clinical variables were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients and by multiple linear regression analysis by using the stepwise method.ResultsThe motor function,strength of the lower limb and the balance were significantly positive related to walking speed(r=0.781-0.834,P<0.001),and the muscle tone of the plantarflexor was moderate negative related to walking speed(r=-0.461,P<0.05).The regression analysis selected motor function of the lower limb as a significant variable(R2=0.696,P<0.001).ConclusionsThe motor function of the lower limb is the important clinical factor to determine the walking speed of stroke subjects.

Objective To verify the inter-rater reliability,intra-rater reliability and internal reliability of the action research arm test(ARAT)in patients with chronic stroke.Methods 30 people with chronic stroke were tested with the ARAT by two experienced raters.The inter-rater reliability,intra-rater reliability and internal reliability were examined.Results The ARAT showed high inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability(ICC=0.992 and 0.987,respectively)and internal consistency(Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.936).Conclusion The ARAT shows good inter-rater reliability,intra-rater reliability and internal reliability in assessing patients after stroke.

Objective To verify the convergent validity,discriminant validity and concurrent validity of the Action Research Arm Test(ARAT)in patients with chronic stroke.Methods 30 cases with chronic stroke were assessed with ARAT,upper limb section at Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Motor Activity Log(MAL)on the same day.The validity was investigated using Spearman ρ and t test.Results The scores of the ARAT closely correlated with upper limb section at Fugl-Meyer Assessment(ρ=0.906,P<0.001).The upper limb section at Fugl-Meyer scores≥33 group achieved a significantly higher scores of the ARAT than the scores<33 group(t =6.614,P<0.001).The scores of the ARAT closely correlated with the amount of use(AOU)and quality of movement(QOM)of MAL(ρ=0.894 and 0.761,respectively,P<0.001).Conclusion The ARAT has been shown good convergent validity,discriminant validity and concurrent validity in people with stroke.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of improving communication methods on decreasing the depression of pstients with stroke dysphasia.Methods16 patients with stroke dysphasia communicated with carton cards,body signal.All the patients were assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) in admission day, one week and two weeks later.ResultsAfter two weeks, the patients' depressive level was decreased from(24.2±8.4) to(13.4±6.7)(P<0.001), the symptom of depression reduced 81.2%.ConclusionsImproving communication methods can decrease the depressive level of the patients with stroke dysphasia.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of language rehabilitation training on stroke patients with complete aphasia.Methods10 stroke patients with complete aphasia were treated with language rehabilitation training.ResultsAfter training, scores of hearing, naming, reciting, reading, and writing of patients were significant higher than that before training (P<0.05—0.01).Conclusion Language rehabilitation training plays an active role in rehabilitation of stroke patients with complete aphasia.

ObjectiveTo identify the value of walking speed at the evaluation of motor function recovery in hemiparetic patients after stroke.MethodsFifty-five cases were assessed in the study. The walking speed, motor function, strengths of the paretic lower limb,balance and ambulation of ADL function were evaluated with the 10m Maximum Walking Speed Test,Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Motricity Index, Berg Balance Scale and ambulation item of Functional Independence Measure. The level of association between walking speed and the clinical variables were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients.ResultsIn the slow group, the gait-related clinical scores were related to walking speed (Pearson's r=0.581-0.770,P<0.05),while that in the moderate group and fast group were not (Pearson's r=0.016-0.380,P>0.05).The correlation between the gait-related clinical scores and walking speed was weakened when walking speed above 44.8m/min(or 41.3% of normal values).ConclusionWalking speed plays an independent role as an indicator of improved performance.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) on motor function of upper extremity of chronic stroke patients.MethodsFifteen chronic stroke patients with hemiparesis (course of diseases more than 13.5 months) were treated by CIMT, involving restriction of movement of the intact upper extremity by placing it in a sling for 90% of waking hours for 12 days and training (by shaping) of the more affected extremity for 6 hours on the 10 workdays during that period. The therapeutic effect was evaluated with upper extremity function test (UEFT) and simple test for evaluating hand function (STEF).ResultsPatients showed a significant and very large degree of improvement after treatment on UEFT and STEF (ES, 0.8 and 0.5, respectively).ConclusionCIMT may be an efficacious method for improvement of the affected arm function of chronic stroke patients.

ObjectiveTo discusse the relationship between static balance in laboratory approaches and dynamic balance in clinical assessment and identify the value of static and dynamic balance at functional outcome in hemiparetic stroke patients. MethodsNineteen stroke subjects were assessed in this study. The static balance was measured by postural sway test, the dynamic balance was measured by Berg balance scale(BBS)and Time up to go test(TUGT),the outcome was measured by FIM and 10m maximum walking speed(MWS). The level of association between the parameters of postural sway test and clinical variables were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients. ResultsThe parameters of postural sway test was significantly negative related to BBS(r=-0.705--0.475,P<0.05);The parameters of postural sway close-eye test was significantly positive related to TUGT(r=0.508-0.583,P<0.05);The parameters of postural sway test was no related to FIM and MWS (r=-0.048--0.296;r=-0.404--0.01,P>0.05);BBS was significantly positive related to FIM and MWS(r=0.752;r=0.700,P<0.001). TUGT was significantly negative related to FIM and MWS(r=-0.600,P<0.01;r=-0.817,P<0.001).ConclusionClinical and laboratory balance assessments are related and that dynamic rather than static balance measures are valid indicators of functional outcome performance in hemiparetic stroke patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between strength of the paretic lower limb and motor function, balance, walking speed, ability of daily living (ADL) in hemiparetic stroke patients.Methods85 stroke subjects, who were able to walk in the study, were evaluated in the strength of the paretic lower limb, motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL with Motricity Index, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, 10 m walking speed test and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The levels of association between them were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients and with multiple linear regression analyses by using the stepwise method. ResultsStrengths of the paretic lower limb were significantly positive related to motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL (r=0.592-0.811,P<0.001). The paretic ankle dorsiflexors, knee extensors, hip flexors were important clinical factor to consider in determining motor function(R2=0.377,P<0.001), balance(R2=0.321,P<0.001)and walking speed(R2=0.173,P<0.001), ADL(R2=0.42,P<0.001). ConclusionStrengths of the paretic lower limb of stroke patients may play an important role in their motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL.