Minimal Detectable Change for Gait Speed Depends on Baseline Speed in Individuals With Chronic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Given the heterogeneity of mobility outcomes after stroke, the purpose of this study was to examine how the minimal detectable change (MDC) for gait speed varies based on an individual's baseline walking speed. Methods: Seventy-six participants with chronic stroke and able to walk without therapist assistance participated in 2 visits to record overground self-selected comfortable gait speed (CGS) and fast gait speed (FGS). Based on the CGS at visit 1, participants were assigned to 1 of 3 speed groups: low (0.8 m/s; n = 15). Participants were then reclassified using updated gait speed cutoffs of 0.49 and 0.93 m/s. For each group, we determined test-retest reliability between visits, and the MDC for CGS and FGS. Results: Gait speed significantly increased from visit 1 to visit 2 for each group (P
Source: Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy - Category: Physiotherapy Tags: Research Articles Source Type: research