Walking tests for stroke survivors: a systematic review of their measurement properties

Abstract

Many walking tests have been clinimetrically evaluated in stroke survivors. Most walking tests were found to be reliable and valid.

Fatigue as a long-term risk factor for limitations in instrumental activities of daily living and/or mobility performance in older adults after 10 years

“…However, analysis of the data with imputed values for these participants did not change the relationship (data not shown). Even though the 6MWT only tests one aspect of mobility it has proven to be a valid and reliable tool of mobility assessment in different populations and is easy to administer in daily practice 32–34. To be able to walk for 6 minutes may also be the time needed to walk from home to the supermarket and therefore be an indication whether an individual is able to perform certain tasks of daily living and other daily life activities that are important for independence.…”

“…The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the distance that an individual can quickly walk on a flat, hard surface in a period of six minutes. It is a valid and reliable test in different patient populations, and easy to administer 32–34. Test performance was according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines;35 personal assistive devices (eg, canes of walkers) were allowed.…”

The Bobath Concept in Walking Activity in Chronic Stroke Measured Through the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

“…The normal values for healthy subjects were 468 m for women and 525 m for men (Sánchez Lacuesta et al ., ). Both 10‐m walk test and 6‐min walk test show good test–retest reliability and concurrent validity in people with chronic stroke (Van Bloemendaal et al ., ).…”

“…A current systematic review of frequently used walking tests in the evaluation of stroke (Van Bloemendaal et al, 2012) distinguished between those measuring walking short distances and those measuring walking on different surfaces. Walking short distances has been frequently associated with the 10-m walk test (Van Bloemendaal et al, 2012).…”

Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the cerebellum on patients with ataxia after posterior circulation stroke: A pilot study

“…The time and number of steps were assessed as subjects walked 10 m at a self-selected speed with or without a gait aid. This is a valid and reliable measure for walking ability in stroke patients (22,23). The BBS is a 14-item scale widely used to evaluate balance in stroke patients (24).…”