Gait quality and physical functioning of stroke survivors with and without aphasia

Gait, often impaired after stroke, has not been adequately compared between survivors with aphasia (SWA) and those without aphasia (SWNA). Since a relationship exists between severity of motor deficit in stroke and aphasia, this study investigated differences in the gait quality and also physical functioning (PF) between the two groups. This cross-sectional, exploratory study involved 10 SWAs and 16 SWNAs. Gait parameters (stride length, step length, step width, gait velocity, and cadence) were evaluated while PF was measured with the Stroke Impact Scale (version 16). Data analysis was done using frequency, percentages, mean ± SD, two-sample t test and Spearman rank-order correlation. SWNAs had significantly (p < 0.05) higher step length (0.29 ± 0.11 m vs. 0.17 ± 0.08 m), stride length (0.58 ± 0.20 m vs. 0.38 ± 0.14 m), cadence (86.3 ± 17.1 steps/min vs. 57.7 ± 20.4 steps/min) and PF (67.1 ± 13.1 vs. 49.6 ± 12.9) than SWAs. PF had no significant relationship with any of the gait parameters in either group. In conclusion, SWAs had poorer gait quality and PF than SWNAs. The presence of aphasia with stroke merits more attention from the clinicians when it comes to designing gait rehabilitation programs for this client group.