Gait Measures at Admission to Inpatient Rehabilitation after Ischemic Stroke Predict 3-Month Quality of Life and Function

Background: Ischemic stroke can impact a patient's quality of life, but the extent is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the association between gait measures during inpatient rehabilitation with quality-of-life scores and function at 3 months in patients with stroke. Setting: Single-Center inpatient rehabilitation facility. Participants: Eight five patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: A 6-Minute Walk Test and a 10-Meter Walk Test were recorded on admission to rehabilitation. We analyzed the association between gait function at rehabilitation and 3-month quality of life and poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score >2) using multivariable logistic regression. Main Outcome: Measures 3-month health related quality of life. Results: Eighty-five patients (mean age 68.3 14.9 years; 54.3% male) were enrolled. In adjusted analyses, an increase of 0.31 m/s (ie, 1 SD) on the 10-meter walk test was linked with a decreased odds of impaired lower extremity quality of life by 94% (odds ratio [OR] 0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01–0.52; P =.01), and decreased odds of poor functional outcome by 98% (OR 0.02, 95% CI <0.01-0.47; P =.01). For the 6-minute walk test, an increase of 109.5 meters (ie, 1 SD) was linked with decreased odds of having impaired lower extremity quality of life by 1% (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–1.00; P <.01) and poor functional outcome by 1% (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–1.00; P =.04). Conclusion: Gait measurements at rehabilitation can predict 3-month lower extremity quality of life and function.