Abstract
[Purpose] To clarify efficacy of the test for independent walking using our convalescent rehabilitation ward. [Subjects and methods] Subjects were 178 stroke patients who had hospitalized in our convalescent rehabilitation ward from December 2009 to May 2011. 64 patients (35 male, 29 female, average age 66.7±14.4) of those who were able to achieve independent walking by our original test protocol participated in this study. The test includes 8 specific items, which assume some situations of falls while walking. In order to obtain permission of walk alone in the ward, it is necessary to pass this test. Nurses perform assessment of each items for through 3 days, consecutively, then a Rehabilitation doctor allows the patients to walk alone. We used passing rate, days to pass the test and proportion of falls as index of efficacy. [Result] 56 patients (87.5%) achieved independent walking, 51.8% of these patients passed the test less than 4 days. Proportion of falls after independent walking was 19.6% (11 patients, 17 falls) including 1 patient (1.8%) who had femoral neck fracture. [Discussion] It is reported that falls in patients walk independently with cane or walker in convalescent rehabilitation ward was 15.6% by research among multi facilities, which is similar to our result. We concluded that our test for independent walking is efficient of its convenience and eliminates certain risk of falls in stroke patients after independent walking.
