Article ID: 2026-005
Objective: To identify factors associated with walking ability within six months after stroke in subacute patients undergoing gait training with Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses (KAFO).
Methods: This retrospective study included 103 stroke patients. Data collected at the time of admission to the rehabilitation ward included age, sex, BMI, stroke type, affected hemisphere, days from onset, Japan Coma Scale (JCS) score, 12-level hemiplegia recovery grade, severity of sensory impairment, Range Of Motion (ROM) of the affected ankle joint, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) for knee extension on the unaffected side, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor and cognitive scores, Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN), aphasia and the average daily physical therapy dose (PT dose). Patients were categorized into two groups: the ambulatory group and the assisted ambulatory group. Comparisons between the two groups were conducted, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with walking ability within 6 months after onset as the dependent variable. Significant factors and their cutoff values were determined.
Results: The ambulatory group consisted of 50 patients, and the assisted ambulatory group consisted of 53 patients. Significant differences were observed in age, days from onset, JCS, 12-level hemiplegia recovery grade, MMT, FIM, USN and PT dose between the two groups. Furthermore, age, FIM motor score, and days from onset were identified as significant predictors of walking prognosis. The cutoff values were 70 years for age, 24 points for the FIM motor score, and 27 days for time since onset.
Conclusion: In subacute patients undergoing gait training with KAFO, age, FIM motor score, and the number of days from stroke onset to rehabilitation ward admission were associated with walking ability within six months after stroke.
