Evaluation of Practical Gait Endurance in Hemiplegic Patients after Stroke

For the purpose of examining the appropriate evaluation method for practical gait endurance of hemiplegic patients, 2-min, 3-min, and 6-min walk distances, physiological cost index 2 min, 3 min, and 6 min after the gait initiation, aerobic work threshold, and maximum oxygen intake were measured. Thirty-six hemiplegic patients were divided into 2 groups; those who could and could not walk more than 1 km without rest. There was a significant difference in 2-min, 3-min, and 6-min walk distances, and maximum oxygen intake between the groups (p<0.05). Two-minute, 3-min, and 6-min walk distances highly correlated with each other. These results indicated that 2-min walk distance is most useful for the clinical evaluation of practical gait endurance of hemiplegic patients.