A lot of variations in spatiotemporal parameters during gait performance among stroke survivors have been recorded. Studies have slso shown that such variations in gait paramets during gait performance have strong (confounding) influence on the outcome/results of gait analysis conducted among these individuals. A number of factors have been pointed out as contributing factors to the observed variations in gait performance. Such include fear of falling, fatigability/post stroke fatigue and environmental factors. It is therefore of serious concern to me to find out how these variables could be assessed objectively as this would help me immensely in my current study.
I would look at the FES-I scale for measuring Fear of Falling. It has great reliability. However I don't have any suggestions regarding fatigue measurement.
See the link for the FES-I validation paper.
Good luck!
David
http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/content/34/6/614.long
Hi Elochukwu. Posture and gait evaluation can be made using different methodologies and equipments. The MobilityLab system was developed to evaluate PD patients in terms of postural control (ISWAY test) and gait (ITUG and ISAW tests). This system uses 6 accelerometers. As we can have access to reference data, differences observed between your population and normal subjects, may indicate motor behavior changes.
Best regards
Filipe Melo
I am afraid all data tend to be heavily relying on subjective surveys. I am not sure of FES scale can be readily utilizable in this cohort of population. Let`s see what other researchers think.
Below is the most dissecting review I have passed by. It does not point to any objective scale though.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25277765?dopt=Abstract
Good Afternoon Dr. Ezenwankwo---
If the individual is at a higher functional level, I would utilize the Falls Efficacy Scale - International to measure fear of falling. I might employ the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) to measure balance confidence. Both are easy to administer in gait studies and demonstrate sufficient validity and reliability properties.