Virtual obstacle crossing: Reliability and differences in stroke survivors who prospectively experienced falls or no falls

Michiel Punt*, Sjoerd M. Bruijn, Harriet Wittink, Ingrid G. van de Port, Gijs Wubbels, Jaap H. van Dieën

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Introduction Stroke survivors often fall during walking. To reduce fall risk, gait testing and training with avoidance of virtual obstacles is gaining popularity. However, it is unknown whether and how virtual obstacle crossing is associated with fall risk. Aim The present study assessed whether obstacle crossing characteristics are reliable and assessed differences in stroke survivors who prospectively experienced falls or no falls. Method We recruited twenty-nine community dwelling chronic stroke survivors. Participants crossed five virtual obstacles with increasing lengths. After a break, the test was repeated to assess test-retest reliability. For each obstacle length and trial, we determined; success rate, leading limb preference, pre and post obstacle distance, margins of stability, toe clearance, and crossing step length and speed. Subsequently, fall incidence was monitored using a fall calendar and monthly phone calls over a six-month period. Results Test-retest reliability was poor, but improved with increasing obstacle-length. Twelve participants reported at least one fall. No association of fall incidence with any of the obstacle crossing characteristics was found. Discussion Given the absence of height of the virtual obstacles, obstacle avoidance may have been relatively easy, allowing participants to cross obstacles in multiple ways, increasing variability of crossing characteristics and reducing the association with fall risk. Conclusion These finding cast some doubt on current protocols for testing and training of obstacle avoidance in stroke rehabilitation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)533-538
Number of pages6
JournalGait and Posture
Volume58
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Gait
  • Obstacle crossing
  • Prospective falls
  • Stroke
  • Virtual environment

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