A Study to Compare Use of Different Walking-Aids in Acute Stroke Subjects: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke survivors often require walking aids to assist with ambulation. This exploratory study aimed to design and test a predictive model for prescribing walking aids in stroke subjects.

Methods: Seventeen stroke subjects from a rehabilitation center in Rajkot, India was included. Factors including age, balance, dominant and affected side, comorbidities, motivation, fear of fall, economic status, spasticity, Brunnstrom grading, proprioception, visual limitation, ability to walk, ADL, and subject preference were measured using various scales and tests. SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Results showed a significant correlation between motivation and the need for walking aids (p=0.035). Fear of fall (p=0.013) and proprioception (p=0.025) also showed significant correlations. The predictive model for prescribing walking aids was developed based on the results.

Conclusions: This exploratory study identified several factors that can predict the need for walking aids in stroke subjects. Motivation, fear of fall, and proprioception were found to be significant predictors. The predictive model developed in this study can be used by clinicians to prescribe appropriate walking aids for stroke survivors. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended to validate the model.