Relationships between walking speed, activities and participation in people with chronic stroke in Burundi

Abstract

Background: Reduced walking speed because of a stroke may limit activities of daily living (ADLs) and restrict social participation.Objectives: To describe the level of balance impairment, activity limitations, and participation restrictions and to investigate their relationship with walking speed in Burundians with chronic stroke.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved adult stroke survivors. Walking speed, balance, ADLs and social participation were assessed with the 10-meter walk test (10 mWT), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the activity limitation stroke scale and the participation measurement scale, respectively. In order to determine ambulatory independence status, participants were stratified into three walking speed groups (household ambulation, limited ambulation and full-community ambulation), based on the Perry classification.Results: Fifty-eight adults (mean age 52.1 ± 11.4 years) with chronic stroke were included in our study. Most participants had severe balance impairments (median BBS score, 27). Their mean (± standard deviation [SD]) walking speeds, ADL levels and social participation levels were 0.68 ± 0.34 m/s, 50.8% ± 9.3% and 52.8% ± 8.6%, respectively. Walking speed correlated moderately with balance (rho = 0.5, p 0.001) and strongly with ADL level (r = 0.7, p 0.001) but not with participation level (r = 0.2, p = 0.25).Conclusion: Using socio-culturally suitable tools, our study showed that walking speed correlates robustly with balance and ADL ability, but not with social participation, in Burundi, a low-income country.Clinical implications: Exercises targeting walking speed would be very useful for people with chronic stroke living in low-resource countries, in order to promote their functional independence.

Bilateral versus unilateral upper limb training in (sub)acute stroke: A systematic and meta-analysis

“…This is similar to two other systematic reviews (Chen et al 2019 ; Coupar et al 2010 ). Activity recovery is a very important goal for post-stroke patients in order to integrate the UL in daily activities (Nindorera et al 2022 ). Daily activities sometimes require fine manipulation and some bimanual coordination.…”

Efficacy of rehabilitation interventions evaluated in common neurological conditions in improving participation outcomes: A systematic review

“…This could be seen as a poor interpretation of the concept participation whereby the emphasis should be on the interaction of all International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health components displayed in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Model. Therefore, it can be supposed that interventions within the cluster of multidisciplinary rehabilitation (5) and the cluster combining exercise intervention and cognitive behavioural therapy (4) might be more appropriate.…”

“…3 Participation is recognized as a component of this framework and is subject to impairments on body function-level and activity limitations modulated by personal and environmental factors. 1,[4][5][6] According to the WHO, participation is defined as 'involvement in a life situation', 1 and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities emphasizes that rehabilitation services and programs should enable persons with disabilities to attain and maintain full participation in all life aspects in order to support their human rights and dignity. 7 There is an increasing focus on interventions regarding participation also due to associations with life satisfaction, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.…”

“…3 Participation is recognized as a component of this framework and is subject to impairments on body function-level and activity limitations modulated by personal and environmental factors. 1, 4–6…”

Exercise dosage to facilitate the recovery of balance, walking, and quality of life after stroke

“…For patients with stroke and their families, achieving independence in activities of daily living (ADL) is often the primary concern (Saulle & Schambra 2016). Recovery of walking ability is particularly important for stroke survivors because it is often essential for social participation (Adoukonou et al 2018;Nindorera et al 2022;Preston et al 2011).…”