Factors Influencing the Life-Space of Urban-dwelling Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the factors determining the life-space extent of urban-dwelling hemiparetic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 115 hemiparetic stroke patients, who were attending out-patient departments. The Life-Space Assessment was used to determine subjects with a living space greater than a 16-km radius, and those with a living space of less than an 800-m radius, and logistic regression analysis was performed on the two groups using physical assessment items as independent variables. In addition, cutoff points were calculated for the discriminating factors. [Results] Discriminant factors were identified as the 6-minute walking distance for increasing order, and 10 m walking time for decreasing order, and their respective cutoff points were 213.5 m, and 13.9 s. [Conclusion] The extent of the life-space area can be determined by gait assessment.