Phase Angle as a Predictor of Walking Independence in Patients Undergoing Stroke Rehabilitation: A Preliminary Study

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Objectives: This study examined the relationship between phase angle (PhA), an indicator of muscle quality, and independent walking in stroke patients. The objective was to determine the predictive value of a PhA at admission for walking independence at discharge. Methods: This study included 220 stroke patients (121 males, 99 females), categorized based on their functional independence measure (FIM) mobility scores at discharge: independent (FIM ≥6; n = 100) and dependent (FIM ≤5; n = 120). Logistic regression analysis assessed whether PhA at admission predicted ambulatory independence at discharge. Additionally, receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis determined optimal cutoff values. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that PhA at admission and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were significant predictors of independent walking. The optimal cutoff values for PhA were determined to be 4.35° for men and 4.1° for women. Similarly, the cutoff scores for the NIHSS were 7.5 points for men and 5.5 points for women. Conclusions: In stroke patients, PhA and NIHSS at admission were significantly associated with ambulatory independence at discharge. Evaluation of PhA and NIHSS at admission may be useful for more accurate prediction of gait outcomes.