Controlled study of correlation of biomechanical profile of hemiparetic patients with distance travelled in six minutes

Abstract

The six-minute walking test (6MWT) is used to assess exercise tolerance that is asso ciated with motor function of the lower limbs in hemiparetic patients. It is suggested that, for post-stroke subjects, performance in the 6MWT may be limited by biomechanical and cardiovascular factors. Our aim is to determine the correlation between the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and the biomechanical pro file of hemiparetic patients. During this cross sectional controlled study, 10 hemiparetic patients with heart failure underwent 6MWT (ATS protocol). Tonus (Ashworth Scale) and goniometry of the lower limbs were measured. The average of 6MWD in two tests was 279±8 m. There was a negative correlation between the degree of spasticity for both the sural tri ceps (r=−0.57, P<0.05), quadriceps (r=−0.58, P<0.05) and the limitation in ankle dorsiflex ion and the 6MWD (r=−0.76, P<0.05). Also, there was correlation between hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion limitations with 6MWD (r=0.66, P<0.05), (r=0.77, P<0.05). The nega tive correlation between the highest spasticity in paretic limb and the 6MWD and the correla tion between the lower movement range of paretic hip and ankle suggest association with these factors and gait velocity in 6MWT. Loss percentage represents the percentage calcula tion between distance traveled and th tance predicted achieved by patients. In this study, the negative correlation between the percentage of loss of 6MWD and the limitation in the ankle dorsiflexion movement suggests that for a minor motion arch of the ankle, there is a higher percentage of walking distance loss foretold.