Article
Recovery of walking function in stroke patients: The copenhagen stroke study

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9993(95)80038-7Get rights and content

Abstract

Time course and degree of the recovery of walking function after stroke and the influence of initial lower extremity (LE) paresis were studied prospectively in a community-based population of 804 consecutive acute stroke patients. Walking function and degree of LE paresis were assessed weekly using the Barthel index and the Scandinavian Neurological Stroke scale, respectively. Initially, 51% had no walking function, 12% could walk with assistance, and 37% had independent walking function. At the end of rehabilitation, 21% had died, 18% had no walking function, 11% could walk with assistance, and 50% had independent walking function. Recovery of walking function occurs in 95% of the patients within the first 11 weeks after stroke. The time and the degree of recovery are related to both the degree of initial impairment of walking function and to the severity of LE paresis, p < .0001. A valid prognosis of walking function in patients with initially no/mild/moderate leg paresis can be made in 3 weeks, and further recovery should not be expected after 9 weeks. A valid prognosis of walking function in patients with initially severe leg paresis or paralysis can be made in 6 weeks, and further improvement of walking function should not be expected later than 11 weeks after stroke.

References (18)

  • NakayamaH et al.

    Recovery of upper extremity function in stroke patients: The Copenhagen Stroke Study

    Arch Phys Med Rehabil

    (1994)
  • BohannonRW et al.

    Importance of four variables of walking to patients with stroke

    Int J Rehabilitation Res

    (1991)
  • OlsenTS

    Arm and leg paresis as outcome predictors in stroke rehabilitation

    Stroke

    (1990)
  • FriedmanPJ

    Gait recovery after hemiplegic stroke

    Int Disabil Studies

    (1991)
  • AndrewsK et al.

    The rate of recovery from stroke-and its measurements

    Int Rehabil Med

    (1981)
  • SkillbeckCE et al.

    Recovery after stroke

    J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

    (1983)
  • WadeDT et al.

    Recovery after stroke-the first 3 months

    J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

    (1985)
  • WadeDT et al.

    Walking after stroke

    Measurement and recovery over the first 3 months

    Scand J Rehab Med

    (1987)
  • WadeDT et al.

    Functional abilities after stroke: measurement, natural history and prognosis

    J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

    (1987)
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (826)

View all citing articles on Scopus

Supported by grants from The Danish Health Foundation, The Danish Heart Foundation, Ebba Celinders Foundation, and The Gangsted Foundation.

No commercial party having a direct or indirect interest in the subject matter of this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated.

View full text