2019 Volume 46 Issue 5 Pages 327-333
Objective: Stroke patients’ knee extension strength of the affected side is reportedly associated with walking ability, making it an evaluation criterion of great importance in health care. While reference strengths for determining walking independence have been published, they do not explicitly apply during the acute stage of a stroke. This study’s objective was to investigate whether knee extension strength on the affected side in acute stroke could serve as a metric for estimating walking independence and, if so, provide reference values to this end.
Method: Data was analyzed for 177 stroke inpatients at our hospital. Logistic regression analysis was performed using isometric knee extension strength on the affected and non-affected sides measured within 30 days of stroke onset as independent variables, and the ability to walk independently (yes/no) as the dependent variable. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to calculate the optimal cut-off for determining walking independence.
Results: Knee extension strength on the affected side was identified as a significant predictor of walking independence. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis calculated its optimal cut-off value as 0.98 Nm/kg (sensitivity 76.1%, specificity 76.5%).
Conclusion: Knee extension strength on the affected side following a stroke can serve as a useful criterion for evaluating independent walking ability, even in the acute stage.
