Characteristics of Stroke Survivors that Predict Effectiveness of ICARE Intervention in Gait Rehabilitation

Authors

Maisie Habron, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 3-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Habron, Maisie. Characteristics of Stroke Survivors that Predict Effectiveness of ICARE Intervention in Gait Rehabilitation. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 2018.

Comments

An Undergraduate Honors Thesis Submitted in Partial fulfillment of University Honors Program Requirements University of Nebraska-Lincoln. March 2018.

Copyright (c) 2018 Maisie Habron

Abstract

After stroke, many patients experience neurological and functional limitations that lead to gait (walking) and cardiorespiratory deficiencies. A possible solution for these limiting factors is the ICARE, a motor-assisted elliptical. The purpose of this study was to explore whether participant-specific characteristics could serve as predictors of the likelihood that a participant would respond positively (defined as an improvement in walking ability) to an ICARE intervention. An analysis in fourteen community-dwelling stroke survivors who had previously engaged in an ICARE intervention of changes from pre-and post-interventions in measures of walking (free and fast walking, six minute walk test, Timed Up and Go), and balance (Berg study were used for to explore predictors of response to treatment. Raw changes from pre- to post-intervention measures for SSC Velocity change could be predicted by a combination of the participant’s pre-SSC, and pre-TUG measures (Adj. 𝑅²= 0.106). Percent change for SSC Velocity change could be predicted to a lesser degree (Adj. 𝑅²= 0.025) by exercise duration (number of minutes exercised per week prior to ICARE intervention). Predictor variables for raw changes of SSF Velocity included pre-Berg and exercise duration (Adj. 𝑅²= 0.330). Percent change for SSF Velocity change could be predicted by the same variables, with the addition of Pre 6MWT (Adj. 𝑅²= 0.579). Predicting raw change for the outcome of the 6MWT could be done with a combination of pre-TUG and pre-Berg variables (Adj. 𝑅²= 0.394). Predicting the percent change of the 6MWT from pre- to post- intervention could be done with the previous two variables and pre-6MWT (Adj. 𝑅²= 0.578). Future studies should include more participants and more exploratory variables.