Gait Asymmetry in Community-Ambulating Stroke Survivors

Patterson KK, Parafianowicz I, Danells CJ, Closson V, Verrier MC, Staines WR, Black SE, McIlroy WE. Gait asymmetry in community-ambulating stroke survivors.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and severity of asymmetry among independently ambulating stroke survivors and to establish the association between velocity and asymmetry.DesignDescriptive analysis.SettingResearch gait laboratory in a Canadian hospital.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling, independently ambulating participants (N=54) with chronic stroke.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresOverground gait velocity, symmetry ratios for temporal and spatial step parameters, and motor impairment of the foot and leg. Spatiotemporal parameters were collected with a pressure-sensitive mat. Motor impairment was measured clinically with the Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment.ResultsThirty (55.5%) participants showed statistically significant temporal asymmetry and 18 (33.3%) exhibited statistically significant spatial asymmetry. Preferred velocity was negatively associated with temporal asymmetry (r= −.583, df=52, P<.001) but not spatial asymmetry (r=−.146, df=52, P=.29). Temporal asymmetry was also associated with motor recovery of the leg (r= −.644, df=35, P<.001) and foot (r= −.628, df=35, P<.001).ConclusionsThe results of the current study illustrate that temporal asymmetry can be found in many independently ambulating stroke patients. The work highlights the need for a standard assessment of poststroke gait symmetry in light of the complex relationship with motor impairment and velocity.