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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of the timed “up and go” test (TUGT) on measuring functional mobility of stroke patients.MethodsNinety hemiparetic stroke patients participated in this study. The balance, gait speed and disability of patients were measured by Berg balance scale (BBS), maximal gait speed and functional independence measure (FIM) to find out the critical value of TUGT.ResultsA good relationship existed among TUGT and the BBS,gait speed and FIM (r=-0.926—-0.674,P<0.001).The percentage of independent walking of stroke patients whose TUGT scores <10s or>20s were 100% and 8.3%. The optimal cut off values of TUGT to predict the independent walking of patients were 15.2s, and in stroke group sensitivity and specificity of TUGT were 89.4% and 79.1%.Conclusion TUGT is a reliable instrument with adequate concurrent validity to measure the functional mobility of stroke patients.

ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of temporal distance parameters on comfortable and maximal walking speed of hemiplegic stroke patients.MethodsThe comfortable and maximal walking speed of 85 hemiplegic stroke patients were tested by 10 m walking speed and temporal distance parameters of gait cycle were obtained. The effect of step length and walking rate on comfortable and maximal walking speed was analyzed.ResultsStep length and walking rate were significantly positive related to comfortable and maximal walking speed (r=0.849-0.915,P<0.001).The step regression analysis selected step length as a significant variable for comfortable and maximal walking speed (R2=0.835,R2=0.827,respectively). ConclusionThe important parameter that influences comfortable and maximal walking speed of hemiplegic stroke patients is step length.