Lateral pelvic displacement during gait: abnormalities after stroke and changes during the first month of rehabilitation

OBJECTIVES: To measure the amplitude and symmetry of lateral pelvic displacement (LPD) in patients with acute hemiparetic stroke; to assess the relationship between LPD and walking speed; and to quantify changes in LPD during 1- and 4-week intervals in the early stages of gait rehabilitation. DESIGN: LPD amplitude and symmetry were measured in stroke patients on admission to acute rehabilitation, 1 week later, and at 4-week follow-up. Performance was compared with sex-, height-, and age-matched control subjects. SETTING: Urban geriatric inpatient rehabilitation facility in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen patients with a single-hemisphere stroke, confirmed by computed tomography, were compared with the data from 12 control subjects. Patients' FIM trade mark instrument scores ranged from 54 to 124. INTERVENTION: Gait rehabilitation involved twice-daily individual physical therapy sessions of 45 to 60 minutes, 5 days a week, incorporating whole and part practice, mental rehearsal, verbal feedback on performance, manual guidance, and strengthening techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three-dimensional motion analysis of LPD amplitude and symmetry; and preferred walking speed over 10m. RESULTS: Compared with controls, stroke patients initially showed increased amplitude of LPD, with no difference in LPD symmetry. A statistically significant linear relationship existed between walking speed and amplitude of LPD (r=-.53; P=.04), yet not between walking speed and symmetry (r=-.41, P=.13). Amplitude and symmetry values remained consistent during the 4-week period of rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide baseline LPD values for patients with acute hemiparetic stroke and demonstrate the relationship between LPD and walking speed. Change in LPD during inpatient rehabilitation was not uniform or predictable, particularly during longer periods. This highlights the need for therapists to regularly reassess each patient during the early rehabilitation phase after stroke, especially given that individual differences can be marked.     

Determinants of walking function after stroke: differences by deficit severity

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of cardiovascular fitness (Vo(2)peak), neurologic deficits in balance and leg strength, and body composition to ambulatory function after stroke and to determine whether these relationships differ between those with milder versus more severe gait deficits. DESIGN: Cross-sectional correlation study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-four people (43 men, 31 women; mean age +/- standard deviation, 64+/-10y) with chronic hemiparetic stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirty-foot (9.1-m) walk velocity, 6-minute walk distance, Vo(2)peak, Berg Balance Scale score, bilateral quadriceps eccentric torque, total and regional lean mass, and percentage of fat mass. RESULTS: Short-distance walking correlated significantly with cardiovascular fitness, balance, paretic leg strength, nonparetic leg strength, percentage of body fat, and paretic lean mass but not with nonparetic lean mass. Long-distance walking correlated significantly with cardiovascular fitness, balance, paretic leg strength, nonparetic leg strength, and paretic lean mass but not with percentage of body fat or nonparetic lean mass. Stepwise regression showed that cardiovascular fitness, balance, and paretic leg strength were independently associated with long-distance walking (r(2)=.60, P<.001). Variance in long-distance walking was largely explained by balance for those who walked more slowly (<.48m/s) for short distances (r(2)=.42, P<.001) and by cardiovascular fitness for those who walked more quickly (>.48m/s) for short distances (r(2)=.26, P=.003). CONCLUSIONS: Short-distance walking after stroke is related to balance, cardiovascular fitness, and paretic leg strength. Long-distance walking ability differs by gait deficit severity, with balance more important in those who walk more slowly and cardiovascular fitness playing a greater role in those who walk more quickly. Improved understanding of the factors that predict ambulatory function may assist the design of individualized rehabilitation strategies across the spectrum of gait deficit severity in those with hemiparetic stroke.     

Accuracy of clinical observations of push-off during gait after stroke

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy (criterion-related validity) of real-time clinical observations of push-off in gait after stroke. DESIGN: Criterion-related validity study of gait observations. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven participants with stroke and 8 treating physical therapists. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pearson product-moment correlation between physical therapists' observations of push-off during gait and criterion measures of peak ankle power generation from a 3-dimensional motion analysis system. RESULTS: A high correlation was obtained between the observational ratings and the measurements of peak ankle power generation (Pearson r =.98). The standard error of estimation of ankle power generation was .32W/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Physical therapists can make accurate real-time clinical observations of push-off during gait following stroke.     

Upper limb robot-assisted rehabilitation versus physical therapy on subacute stroke patients: A follow-up study

This study aims to analyse the long-term effects (6 months follow-up) of upper limb Robot-assisted Therapy (RT) compared to Traditional physical Therapy (TT), in subacute stroke patients. Although the literature on upper-limb rehabilitation with robots shows increasing evidence of its effectiveness in stroke survivors, the length of time for which the re-learned motor abilities could be maintained is still understudied. A randomized controlled follow-up study was conducted on 48 subacute stroke patients who performed the upper-limb therapy using a planar end-effector robotic system (Experimental Group-EG) or TT (Control Group-CG). The clinical assessments were collected at T0 (baseline), T1 (end of treatment) and T2 (6 months follow-up): Upper Limb part of Fugl-Meyer assessment (FM-UL), total passive Range Of Motion (pROM), Modified Ashworth Scale Shoulder (MAS-S) and Elbow (MAS-E). At T1, the intra-group analysis showed significant gain of FM-UL in both EG and CG, while significant improvement in MAS-S, MAS-E, and pROM were found in the EG only. At T2, significant increase in MAS-S were revealed only in the CG. In FM-UL, pROM and MAS-E the improvements obtained at the end of treatment seem to be maintained at 6 months follow-up in both groups. The inter-groups analysis of FM-UL values at T1 and T2 demonstrated significant differences in favour of EG. In conclusion, upper limb Robot-assisted Therapy may lead a greater reduction of motor impairment in subacute stroke patients compared to Traditional Therapy. The gains observed at the end of treatment persisted over time. No serious adverse events related to the study occurred.     

Agreement between an electrogoniometer and motion analysis system measuring angular velocity of the knee during walking after stroke

Objectives

There is a need to measure quality of movement to assess effectiveness of physical therapy interventions after stroke. Knee angular velocity may be a sensitive measure of change in performance of movement during functional activity, but not all clinical centres have access to a movement analysis laboratory. The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of using an electrogoniometer and a laboratory-based movement analysis system (Vicon Motion Systems Ltd, Oxford, UK) to measure knee angular velocity.

Design

Prospective agreement study.

Setting

Movement analysis laboratory.

Participants

Fifteen adult volunteers (mean age 55.6 years) at least 6 months after stroke and able to walk at least 4.5 m indoors.

Interventions

Kinematic data were collected simultaneously from the electrogoniometer and the Vicon system whist subjects walked forwards in the laboratory.

Main outcome measures

Electrogoniometer and Vicon data were filtered using a second-order Butterworth filter. Angular velocity was calculated for both sets of data, and the values for peak flexion and peak extension velocity for each stride were extracted for each subject trial.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and lower 95% confidence interval was 0.90 (0.87) for peak flexion angular velocity and 0.92 (0.89) for peak extension angular velocity. The limits of agreement were −50.64 to 80.28 °/second for peak flexion angular velocity and −30.59 to 86.27 °/second for peak extension angular velocity.

Conclusions

Despite high ICC values, the limits of agreement were wide. These data indicate that the Vicon system and an electrogoniometer may not be used interchangeably to measure knee angular velocity in stroke subjects.     

Effectiveness of gait training using an electromechanical gait trainer, with and without functional electric stimulation, in subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of conventional gait training (CGT), gait training using an electromechanical gait trainer (EGT), and gait training using an electromechanical gait trainer with functional electric stimulation (EGT-FES) in people with subacute stroke. DESIGN: Nonblinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital for adults. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients were recruited within 6 weeks after stroke onset; 46 of these completed the 4-week training period. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 gait intervention groups: CGT, EGT, or EGT-FES. The experimental intervention was a 20-minute session per day, 5 days a week (weekdays) for 4 weeks. In addition, all participants received their 40-minute sessions of regular physical therapy every weekday as part of their treatment by the hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five-meter walking speed test, Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS), Berg Balance Scale, Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC), Motricity Index leg subscale, FIM instrument score, and Barthel Index. RESULTS: The EGT and EGT-FES groups had statistically significantly more improvement than the CGT group in the 5-m walking speed test (CGT vs EGT, P=.011; CGT vs EGT-FES, P=.001), Motricity Index (CGT vs EGT-FES, P=.011), EMS (CGT vs EGT, P=.006; CGT vs EGT-FES, P=.009), and FAC (CGT vs EGT, P=.005; CGT vs EGT-FES, P=.002) after the 4 weeks of training. No statistically significant differences were found between the EGT and EGT-FES groups in all outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample with subacute stroke, participants who trained on the electromechanical gait trainer with body-weight support, with or without FES, had a faster gait, better mobility, and improvement in functional ambulation than participants who underwent conventional gait training. Future studies with assessor blinding and larger sample sizes are warranted.     

Effective physical therapy activities to improve the supine-to-seated transfer time in stroke patients: an observational pilot study

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effective time allocation for physical therapy activities in patients with stroke. The primary outcome measure was the improvement in the time required to transition from the supine to the sitting position. [Participants and Methods] This study enrolled 19 inpatients with stroke. The activities performed during physical therapy were classified as nontherapeutic activities, minimal therapeutic activities, moderate therapeutic activities, high therapeutic activities, and other activities. We determined the relationship between the activities and the relative shortening ratio of the time required to sit up from the supine position for up to 13 weeks of physical therapy. We also considered the following background factors: patient information, functional independence measure, and Brunnstrom recovery stage. [Results] The Brunnstrom recovery stage for the lower extremity was identified as the confounding factor, and the participants were stratified into the Brunnstrom recovery stage 6 group, in which moderate therapeutic activities and other activities were significantly related to the relative shortening ratio. [Conclusion] The results suggested that other activities exerted a similar effect as moderate therapeutic activities in the Brunnstrom recovery stage 6 group and were more effective than high therapeutic activities in reducing the time required to sit up from the supine position.     

Neutral functional realignment orthosis prevents hand pain in patients with subacute stroke: a randomized trial

Bürge E, Kupper D, Finckh A, Ryerson S, Schnider A, Leemann B. Neutral functional realignment orthosis prevents hand pain in patients with subacute stroke: a randomized trial.

Objective

To quantify the preventive effect of a neutral functional realignment orthosis on pain, mobility, and edema of the hand in subacute hemiparetic poststroke patients with severe motor deficits.

Design

Randomized trial.

Setting

Rehabilitation center.

Participants

Poststroke patients (N=30) with subacute hemiparesis and severe deficits of the upper limb were enrolled. Fifteen patients were randomized to a standard rehabilitation program without orthosis and 15 patients received an experimental orthosis in addition to their standard rehabilitation program.

Intervention

The orthosis group wore the neutral functional realignment orthosis for at least 6 hours daily.

Main Outcome Measures

Hand pain at rest (visual analog scale), wrist range of motion (Fugl-Meyer Assessment subscale), and edema of hand and wrist (circumferences). Outcome measures were assessed at time of randomization and after 13 weeks between groups.

Results

At baseline, 2 patients in each group complained about a painful hand. After 13 weeks, 8 subjects in the control group and 1 subject in the orthosis group complained of hand pain (P=.004). Mobility and edema evolved similarly in both groups.

Conclusions

Neutral functional realignment orthoses have a preventive effect on poststroke hand pain, but not on mobility and edema in the subacute phase of recovery.     

Accuracy and cut-off points of different models of knee extension strength analysis to identify walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke

BackgroundAdequate muscle strength is essential for walking performance in individuals with stroke.ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy of different forms of muscle knee extension strength analysis to identify high or low walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke.MethodsTwenty-eight participants with a chronic stroke for more than six months participated. Independence for walking was judged by measurement of walking performance assessed for comfortable walking speed (CWS), maximum walking speed (MWS), and the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Peak knee extension torque of the paretic side, non-paretic side, sum of the sides (SS), and difference in the sides (DS) was assessed during concentric movements using an isokinetic dynamometer.ResultsThe equation with greatest predictive capacity for CWS and MWS included the DS as the main predictor (R² of 0.65 and 0.71, respectively, p < 0.05). The variable with the greatest predictive capacity for 6MWT was time since injury (R² of 0.68, p < 0.05). The highest percentile for CWS in the receiver operating characteristic curve of DS was 25 Nm/kg (cut-off: -12.75 for CWS of 0.498 m/s). The 75th percentile of the 6MWT (324.3 m) was used as the cut-off for the SS (2.1 Nm/kg). The area under the curve for CWS was 0.76 (p < 0.05) on the DS and 0.75 (p < 0.05) for 6MWT on the SS.ConclusionThe models of muscle knee extension strength analysis using the SS and DS presented moderate accuracy to identify walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke.     

Black-white differences in patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes in inpatient stroke rehabilitation

Horn SD, Deutscher D, Smout RJ, DeJong G, Putman K. Black-white differences in patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes in inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Objective

To describe racial differences in patient characteristics, nontherapy ancillaries, physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and functional outcomes at discharge in stroke rehabilitation.

Design

Multicenter prospective observational cohort study of poststroke rehabilitation.

Setting

Six U.S. inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Participants

Black and white patients (n=732), subdivided in case-mix subgroups (CMGs): CMGs 104 to 107 for moderate strokes (n=397), and CMGs 108 to 114 for severe strokes (n= 335).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

FIM.

Results

Significant black-white differences in multiple patient characteristics and intensity of rehabilitation care were identified. White subjects took longer from stroke onset to rehabilitation admission and were more ambulatory prior to stroke. Black subjects had more diabetes. For patients with moderate stroke, black subjects were younger, were more likely to be women, and had more hypertension and obesity with body mass index greater than or equal to 30. For patients with severe stroke, black subjects were less sick and had higher admission FIM scores. White subjects received more minutes a day of OT, although black subjects had significantly longer median PT and OT session duration. No black-white differences in unadjusted stroke rehabilitation outcomes were found.

Conclusions

Reasons for differences in rehabilitation care between black and white subjects should be investigated to understand clinicians' choice of treatments by race. However, we did not find black-white differences in unadjusted stroke rehabilitation outcomes.     

Walking recovery after an acute stroke: assessment with a new functional classification and the Barthel Index

OBJECTIVES: To investigate walking recovery after an acute stroke by using both a new functional classification and the Barthel Index, and to identify factors associated with good recovery. DESIGN: A 1-year inception cohort study. SETTING: In- and outpatient setting in a district hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients with a prognosis of intermediate walking recovery. INTERVENTION: Conventional physical rehabilitation under professional supervision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Walking capacity was assessed with a new classification scale and the Barthel Index during 5 patient evolution stages (admission to the hospital, hospital and physiotherapy discharge, clinical review, end of study). We also assessed the severity of the paresis of the affected lower limb, the time lapse between the stroke until the recovery of the weight-bearing capacity of the affected leg, and finally the time until standing balance was regained. RESULTS: We detected improvement in walking capacity throughout the follow-up process with our new classification scale, but not with the Barthel Index. Significant improvements were observed from the initial assessment, from 1 month onward, and from 3 to 12 months. The functional level of the final ambulation correlated negatively and significantly with the initial time to achieve weight-bearing capacity on the affected leg and also with the standing balance. There was also a significant correlation with the severity of lower-extremity paresis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients experienced an improvement in walking recovery throughout the first year after their stroke. The early weight-bearing capacity of the affected leg and standing balance were associated with higher walking levels 1 year after the stroke.     

Circuit class therapy versus individual physiotherapy sessions during inpatient stroke rehabilitation: a controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of circuit class therapy and individual physiotherapy (PT) sessions in improving walking ability and functional balance for people recovering from stroke. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, single-blind controlled trial. SETTING: Medical rehabilitation ward of a rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight persons receiving inpatient rehabilitation after a stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects received group circuit class therapy or individual treatment sessions as the sole method of PT service delivery for the duration of their inpatient stay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five-meter walk test (5MWT), two-minute walk test (2MWT), and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) measured 4 weeks after admission. Secondary outcome measures included the Iowa Level of Assistance Scale, Motor Assessment Scale upper-limb items, and patient satisfaction. Measures were taken on admission and 4 weeks later. RESULTS: Subjects in both groups showed significant improvements between admission and week 4 in all primary outcome measures. There were no significant between group differences in the primary outcome measures at week 4 (5MWT mean difference, .07m/s; 2MWT mean difference, 1.8m; BBS mean difference, 3.9 points). A significantly higher proportion of subjects in the circuit class therapy group were able to walk independently at discharge (P=.01) and were satisfied with the amount of therapy received (P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Circuit class therapy appeared as effective as individual PT sessions for this sample of subjects receiving inpatient rehabilitation poststroke. Favorable results for circuit classes in terms of increased walking independence and patient satisfaction suggest this model of service delivery warrants further investigation.     

Management of diabetes during acute stroke and inpatient stroke rehabilitation

OBJECTIVES: To summarize evidence on the impact of hyperglycemia on stroke outcomes and to present therapy algorithms for inpatient management in diabetic stroke patients. DATA SOURCES: Guidelines for inpatient management of diabetes were reviewed and extracted from a technical review and recommendations from 2 national diabetes and endocrine organizations. MEDLINE database searches were conducted using key words: stroke, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, inpatient, hospitalized, treatment, outcomes, disability, self-management, and education. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were selected that specifically addressed the impact of the following in stroke patients: hyperglycemia and diabetes on rehabilitation outcomes, management strategies for hyperglycemia and diabetes, and strategies for facilitating diabetes self-management. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently extracted data and management practices from selected articles and published practice guidelines. DATA SYNTHESIS: Diabetes is prevalent in stroke patients and results in poorer inpatient hospital and rehabilitation outcomes. Management of diabetes in stroke patients is further complicated by impairments in mobility and vision, necessitating accommodation strategies and tools for self-management. Optimal management of hyperglycemia using insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents results in reduced morbidity and mortality among diabetic inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve inpatient glycemic management targets, use of clinical management algorithms, self-management tools, and systems approaches such as diabetes management teams are useful.     

Choice reaction time can be influenced by intervention protocols after stroke: A systematic review

IntroductionPost-stroke individuals usually present a delay in choice reaction time (CRT), and it would be important to verify the efficacy in the reduction of CRT after intervention protocols.ObjectiveThe main question of this review is ‘What are the characteristics of the CRT test and the interventions that decrease the CRT?’Study designSystematic review.MethodsThe search was performed in March 2019 using the electronic databases, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Cinahal, Cochrane, Ovid, Scielo, PEDro, and Embase. There was no restriction regarding publication dates, and studies written in English that were conducted on poststroke patients and presented CRT results were included.ResultsSix studies were included in this systematic review, and the majority showed varied objectives, methodologies, and groups, regarding the number and characteristics of the sample, varying from complex to simple tasks for the CRT evaluation.ConclusionThis review suggests the investigation of the CRT in stroke patients with functional tasks using auditory and/or visual stimulus. About the CRT training in stroke patients, this review also suggests bilateral training, including functional tasks, and the use of structural practice blocks, but more studies are needed to better demonstrate the effects of interventions on the CRT.Registration numberPROSPERO (protocol no. CRD42017073995).     

Locomotor treadmill training with partial body-weight support before overground gait in adults with acute stroke: a pilot study

McCain KJ, Pollo FE, Baum BS, Coleman SC, Baker S, Smith PS. Locomotor treadmill training with partial body-weight support before overground gait in adults with acute stroke: a pilot study.

Objective

To investigate the impact of locomotor treadmill training with partial body-weight support (BWS) before the initiation of overground gait for adults less than 6 weeks poststroke.

Design

Parallel group, posttest only.

Setting

Inpatient rehabilitation center.

Participants

Adults after first stroke admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit: treadmill group (n=7) and comparison group (n=7).

Interventions

Locomotor treadmill training with partial BWS or traditional gait training methods.

Main Outcome Measures

Gait kinematics, symmetry, velocity, and endurance at least 6 months postinsult.

Results

Data from 3-dimensional gait analysis and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) supported improved gait for adults postacute stroke who practiced gait on a treadmill before walking over ground. Gait analysis showed increased knee flexion during swing and absence of knee hyperextension in stance for the treadmill group. In addition, more normal ankle kinematics at initial contact and terminal stance were observed in the treadmill group. Improved gait symmetry in the treadmill group was confirmed by measures of single support time, hip flexion at initial contact, maximum knee flexion, and maximum knee extension during stance. The treadmill group also walked further and faster in the 6MWT than the comparison group.

Conclusions

Application of locomotor treadmill training with partial BWS before overground gait training may be more effective in establishing symmetric and efficient gait in adults postacute stroke than traditional gait training methods in acute rehabilitation.     

Hemiplegic shoulder pain syndrome: frequency and characteristics during inpatient stroke rehabilitation

Dromerick AW, Edwards DF, Kumar A. Hemiplegic shoulder pain syndrome: frequency and characteristics during inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Objective

To clarify the pathophysiology of hemiplegic shoulder pain by determining the frequency of abnormal shoulder physical diagnosis signs and the accuracy of self-report.

Design

Prospective inception cohort.

Setting

Academic inpatient stroke rehabilitation service.

Participants

Consecutive admissions (N=46) to stroke rehabilitation service.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The Neer test, Speed test, acromioclavicular shear test, Rowe test, and palpation for point tenderness.

Results

Participants were enrolled at a mean time to evaluation of 18.9±14.1 days after stroke. Weakness of shoulder flexion, extension, or abduction was present in 94% of subjects, and neglect was found in 29%. Pain was present by self-report in 37%. The most common finding, which was found in nearly all persons with abnormalities in the study physical examination maneuvers, was bicipital tendon tenderness (54%), followed by supraspinatus tenderness (48%). The Neer sign was positive in 30%; 28% had the triad of bicipital tenderness, supraspinatus tenderness, and the Neer sign. Self-reported pain was a poor predictor of abnormalities elicited on the examination maneuvers, even in those without neglect.

Conclusions

Our data implicate 2 vertical stabilizers of the humerus in early onset hemiplegic shoulder pain, the long head of the biceps and the supraspinatus. Our results also suggest that simple questioning of stroke rehabilitation inpatients about shoulder pain may not be adequate for clinical care or research purposes, even in the absence of neglect.     

Relationship between lower limb coordination and walking speed after stroke: an observational study

BackgroundAlthough lower limb muscle strength is associated with walking performance in people after stroke, even when there is good strength, walking speed may remain slower than normal, perhaps due to incoordination.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between walking speed and lower limb coordination in people with good strength after stroke.MethodsAn observational study was conducted with 30 people with stroke and 30 age-matched controls. Inclusion criteria for stroke were good lower limb strength (i.e., ≥Grade 4) and walking speed at >0.6 m/s without aids in bare feet (with recruitment stratified so that walking speed was evenly represented across the range). Walking performance was measured as speed during the 10-m Walk Test and distance during the 6-min Walk Test. Coordination was measured using the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test and reported in taps/s.ResultsStroke survivors walked at 1.00 (SD 0.26) m/s during the10-m Walk Test (64% of normal), walked 349 (SD 94) m during the 6-min Walk Test (68% of normal), and performed the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test at 1.20 (SD 0.34) taps/s with the affected side (64% of normal). Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test scores for the affected side were statistically significantly correlated with walking performance in the 10-m Walk Test (r = 0.42, p = 0.02) and the 6-min Walk Test (r = 0.50, p = 0.01).ConclusionCoordination was related to walking performance, suggesting that loss of coordination may contribute to slow walking in this group of stroke survivors with good strength.Trial registration: ANZCTR12614000856617 (www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366827).