RELIABILITY OF LOWER LIMB KINEMATICS, MECHANICS AND ENERGETICS DURING GAIT IN PATIENTS AFTER STROKE

Objective: To assess the reliability of kinematic, mechanical and energetic gait variables at short (1 day) and medium (1 month) intervals in adult patients after stroke. Design: Prospective study. Subjects: Ten patients with chronic post-stroke (mean age 53.5 years; age range 25-80 years). Methods: Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed 3 times in these subjects: at baseline (T-0), after 1 day (T-1) and after 1 month (T-2). The reliability of the gait analysis was tested by comparing gait variables measured at T-1 and T-0 (1 day interval), at T-2 and T-0 (1 month interval). The inter session reliability of kinematic, mechanical and energetic variables was calculated by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The reliability of kinematic variables ranged from excellent to moderate (ICC 451), except for the ankle position at heel strike (ICC = 0.44). The reliability of mechanical and energetic variables ranged from excellent to good (ICC >= 0.71). The most reliable variable was external mechanical work (ICC = 0.96). The kinematic, mechanical and energetic variables did not change significantly between T-0, T-1 and T-2 (repeated-measures analysis of variance). Conclusion: Kinematic, mechanical and energetic gait variables present good reliability when measured at 1 day and 1 month intervals in adult patients after stroke.