2019 Volume 1 Issue 2 Pages 70-79
Objective: To investigate the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and gait recovery in stroke patients.
Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 204 consecutive post-stroke patients who were admitted to our hospital from 2015 to 2016. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and lower limb SMI (LSMI) at hospitalization were evaluated using body composition analysis, and their relationships with gait performance at discharge was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results: The study analyzed 204 patients (mean age, 74 years;109 men). SMI and LSMI were significantly associated with gait recovery (both p < 0.01).
Conclusion: It was suggested that skeletal muscle mass is an independent predictor of gait recovery in stroke patients. Assessment of skeletal muscle mass in stroke rehabilitation is useful for predicting gait recovery after stroke and should be used in all cases of stroke.
