Impact of the BOOST GAIT Program on Gait Recovery and Functional Mobility After Stroke

The 10-meter walk test (10m-WT) is used as a performance measure to assess gait speed in meters per second over a short distance. We follow a standardized protocol with 3 immediate test-retest repetitions while the participant is instructed to walk safely at a comfortable pace.

The FM-LE is a stroke-specific impairment measure that assesses the ability to produce voluntary movement control outside of synergistic patterns. A score of 0 indicates a completely flaccid, paralyzed limb, whereas a score of 34 reflects full motor function with synergy-independent movement. A higher score therefore reflects a better outcome.

The MI-LE is an impairment measure that assesses the ability to produce maximum muscle force in the direction of hip flexion, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion. Each item is with a score of 0 indicating a paralyzed limb and a score of 33 reflecting normal strength against manual resistance. The maximum score of 99 is set to 100 to give an index score in % of the degree of strength impairment. A higher score therefore reflects a better outcome.

The BBS is used to rate the ability to safely balance during 14 predetermined tasks. Each task is evaluated on a five-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating the lowest level of function and 4 the highest level of function. A higher score therefore reflects a better outcome.

The FAC is a 6-point scale determining how much human support the patient requires when walking, regardless of whether or not they use a personal assistive device. A score of 0 means total disability, whereas a maximum score of 5 mean full independent walking over uneven terrains. A higher score therefore reflects a better outcome.

A wearable sensor system (APDM, Opal sensors) will be used to measure quality indicators of smoothness of a sit-to-stand transition. For this purpose, sensors will be attached to the body while recording kinematic data during standing-up from a chair of standardized height without using the arms. The participant is instructed to do this as fast as possible. Shorter and smoother motion mean a better outcome.

A wearable sensor system (APDM, Opal sensors) will be used to measure the amount of body sway during a quiet stance task. For this purpose, sensors will be attached to the body while kinematic data will be measured during standing with the feet placed at shoulder width. The participant is instructed to remain as still as possible. Reduced levels of sway mean a better outcome.

A wearable sensor system (APDM, Opal sensors) will be used to measure spatio-temporal aspects of the gait pattern, with particular interest in estimates of interlimb symmetry, over a short distance. For this purpose, the sensors are attached to the body to record the motion kinematics during a straight, unobstructed walk. The participant is instructed to walk at comfortable pace for 30 seconds. Longer, faster and more consistent steps (ie, less variability), with more symmetry between the legs, mean a better outcome.

A wearable sensor system (APDM, Opal sensors) will be used to measure spatio-temporal aspects of the gait pattern, with particular interest in estimates of interlimb symmetry, over a longer distance. For this purpose, the sensors are attached to the body to record the motion kinematics during a straight, unobstructed walk. The participant is instructed to walk as fast as possible, continuously for 3 minutes. Longer, faster, more consistent and symmetric steps, without decrement over the 3-min period as reflections of fatigue, mean a better outcome.