6 and 10 Meters WalkTest Acceleration Distance in Stroke Survivors

Introduction: Gait speed is currently used to predict the future functional status of the patient or to evaluate the improvements produced by different neurorehabilitation treatments. There is no common agreement among researchers and clinicians as to the best distance required to accelerate and decelerate and the optimal distance to time walking speed in people in the chronic phase of stroke.Objectives: The main objective is to analyze whether the 6-meter walk test (6-MeWT) with one meter for acceleration and one for deceleration is optimal as well as 2 meters for acceleration and deceleration in the 10-meter walk test (10-MWT) both at maximum and comfortable or usual speed for patients who have suffered a stroke in the chronic phase (> 6 months).The secondary objective is to evaluate whether the 10-meter walk test (10-MWT) with two meters for acceleration and deceleration is comparable to the 6-MeWT with one meter for acceleration and one meter for deceleration for a correct measurement of gait in patients who have suffered a stroke in chronic phase (> 6 months).Methods: A cross-sectional observational study will be performed. The results of the 6-MeWT with a one-meter zone for acceleration and a one-meter zone for deceleration will be compared with the 10-meter gait test (10-MWT) with 2 meters for acceleration and 2 meters for deceleration. The patient will have 8 sensors applied to different parts of the body. The two tests are performed first at a comfortable gait and second at the fastest gait that the patient can safely perform. There will be 3 repetitions for each of the tests. The patient will be randomized to start with either the 6 MeWT or the 10 MWT test. All tests will be performed on the same day. One researcher will perform the timing measurements, another will count the number of steps and another will record the signal sent by the cameras, which record the movement of the sensors.Discussion: This study will shed light on what is the optimal distance required for acceleration and deceleration in the 6 MeWT and 10 MWT walking tests and whether the two tests are comparable.

Inclusion Criteria:Stroke survivors in chronic phase > 6 monthsHave preserved cognitive ability: Achieve a score equal to or greater than 25 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test.Have the ability to walk on a flat surface of at least 20 meters, with or without aid.Exclusion Criteria:A history of lower extremities injury or surgeryA history of botulinum injection within 3 monthsA history of inflammatory arthritisA history of inflammatory myopathy or peripheral nervous diseaseA history of other neurological disease as a Parkinson, spinal cord etc.