Gait performance of hemiparetic stroke patients: selected variables.

This study was designed to determine if specific variables measured routinely at a rehabilitation center were predictors of gait performance of hemiparetic stroke patients. Nine predictor and four gait measures were taken. Of the five predictor variables hypothesized to be significantly correlated with a gait measurement, four were correlated with at least two gait measures (balance, weight-bearing ratio, motor control, and normalized strength of paretic lower limbs). Four gait measures (speed, cadence, independence, and appearance) were all significantly correlated with one another. Stepwise multiple regressions indicated that motor control and balance were the best predictors of gait performance. The results provide guidance as to which predictor variables might be important in assessing stroke patients. The results also provide some guidance for identifying appropriate targets for treatment intervention with hemiparetic stroke patients.