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Visual Observation Scale for the Upper Limb During Walking in Patients After Stroke.

Completed
Conditions
Gait, Hemiplegic
Stroke
Upper Extremity Paresis
Interventions
Other: Visual observation of arm swing during walking
Registration Number
NCT05128370
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Ghent
Brief Summary

For several years now, it has been demonstrated that the upper limb plays an important role in the function of an efficient and balanced gait pattern in healthy adults. After a stroke, the reduced muscle strength has a clear influence on the gait pattern, but also on the active movement possibilities of the upper limb. However, the role of the upper limb during gait is not sufficiently explored in the literature. The gold standard for motion analysis is a 3D analysis performed with infrared cameras capturing reflective markers during gait. Unfortunately, it is not possible for all people after a stroke to undergo this examination. On the one hand, patients must already have a certain degree of independence with regard to gait. On the other hand, not all centers have access to this expensive accommodation. There are some validated observation scales for people after stroke to describe the gait based on a 2D video image. This method is much more accessible and can be applied by any therapist. However, to date there has been little attention paid to the upper limb in these observation scales. Therefore, analogous to the observation scales for gait, an observation scale for the upper limb during gait was set up. The use of this scale can add value to the rehabilitation of people after a stroke.

* The treatment team will receive information about the patient's complete movement pattern.

* The arm will be more prominent when setting rehabilitation goals related to gait. This can lead to a positive effect on the gait pattern itself, but also to more attention being paid to the arm, which has a more difficult recovery than the leg after a stroke.

The aim of the current study will be

* to determine the inter and intra tester reliability of this visual observation scale

* to investigate if the results of the visual observation scale correlate to a 3D assessment performed in a subgroup of participants

Detailed Description

Patients will be walking for 4x10 m. During this walking a 2D video recording in the frontal (back and front view) and sagittal plane (left and right sided view) will be performed.

Supervision of therapist during walking is allowed. Therapist cannot help the patient during walking.

This images will be used to score the visual observation scale (G.A.I.T) and the additional observation scale developed for this study.

In a subgroup of participants from the Ghent University Hospital, a 3D assessment will be made on an instrumented treadmill (GRAIL, Motek), which will be used as a golden standard to compare with.

Additional clinical parameters will be investigated to describe the study group.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
25
Inclusion Criteria
  • All stroke patients who are able to walk with or without the use of a unilateral walking device (stick, tripod) for at least 10 m.
  • Normal ambulation prior to stroke.
  • Unilateral stroke.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Other neurologic conditions.
  • Orthopedic conditions that influence gait.
  • Visual impairments that impede independent walking.
  • Cerebellar stroke

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Stroke groupVisual observation of arm swing during walkingStroke patients who can walk independently for at least 10 meters without rest. Unilateral walking aids are allowed.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intrarater reliability of the upper limb observation scaleAssessment at 2 points in time with an interval of 2 weeks.

Intraclass correlation coefficient between the same rater rating the videos within a period of 2 weeks from each other.

Kinematic assessment of the arm swing during walkingSingle point of assessment within one week

Correlation statistics between items of the upper limb observation scale and kinematic graphs of the 3D assessment which will be performed within a week after the 2D assessment.

Interrater reliability of the upper limb observation scaleSingle point of assessment within one week after the 2D video has been made

Intraclass correlation coefficient between the different raters who rate the same observation at the same time.

Visual observation scale for the upper limb during walkingSingle point of assessment within one week after the 2D video has been made

Total score on the upper limb visual observation scale (max score 34)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Demographic variablesSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

Age, gender, date of birth, stroke date, type of stroke, side of paresis, stroke location

Fugl Meyer assessment upper limb sectionSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

Active recovery of the upper limb

Sensory assessment of the upper limbSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

UL sensory testing using the Erasmus MC Modificatie van de (revised) Nottigham Sensory Assessment

Passive range of motion shoulder and elbowSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

Goniometric measurement of shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation and elbow flexion/extension (degrees)

Gait speedSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

Calculating gait speed (m/s) based on the time it takes to complete the 10m walking

Upper limb spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale)Single point of assessment at assessment day 1

Modified Ashworth Scale (minimum 0 - maximum 4, higher score is more spasticity = worse outcome) of shoulder flexors, extensors, internal rotators, external rotators, adductors, abductors, elbow flexors, elbow extensors, wrist flexors, wrist extensors, finger flexors and finger extensors

Upper limb pain during walkingSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

Using a numeric rating scale (0-10) to assess pain at the upper limb during walking

Fugl Meyer assessment lower limb sectionSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

Active recovery of the lower limb

Shoulder subluxation (palpation)Single point of assessment at assessment day 1

Palpating the gap between the acromion and the humeral head

Trunk controlSingle point of assessment at assessment day 1

Assessing the trunk impairment using the trunk impairment scale

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Ghent

🇧🇪

Gent, Belgium

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