Reference Values for 3-Meter Backward Walk Test among Apparently Healthy Adults.

OBJECTIVE: The 3-meter backward walk (3MBW) test is an outcome performance measure to assess backward walking mobility, balance, and risk of fall. However, the lack of baseline values is a potential limitation for its use as a rehabilitation target value or predictor of outcomes. This study aimed at ascertaining a gender- and age-reference value of 3MBW and determining its correlation with sociodemographic and anthropometric variables. METHODS: A total of 1,601 Nigerian healthy adults participated in this cross-sectional study. 3MBW was measured following standardized procedure on a marked 3-m floor. Anthropometric and sociodemographic parameters were taken. Data were summarized using the descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, and percentile (less than the 25th, between the 25th and 75th, and above the 75th percentiles were regarded as low, average, and high 3MBW, respectively). RESULTS: From this study, less than 2.23 s and 2.60 s were regarded as low risk of fall for males and females, respectively; 2.23-3.00 s and 2.60-3.50 s were regarded as average risk of fall for males and females, respectively, while greater than 3.00-3.9 s and 3.50-3.90 s were regarded as high risk of fall for males and females, respectively. 3MBWT was significantly associated with age (r = 0.51, p = 0.001), sex (r = 0.315, p = 0.001), weight (r = 0.14, p = 0.001), BMI (r = 0.28, p = 0.001), but not height (r = -0.03; p = 0.250). CONCLUSION: This study provided a reference set of values according to age and gender for 3MBW in healthy individuals. Males have shorter 3MBW than females, and the time taken to accomplish 3MBW increases with age.

Hearing loss, gait and balance impairments and falls among individuals with sub-acute stroke: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: The impact of hearing loss in stroke is less explored. This study aimed to compare hearing loss in patients with sub-acute stroke with healthy controls and evaluate its association with gait and balance impairments and falls. Methods: This study involved 78 ambulant sub-acute stroke patients and 78 age-sex-matched controls. Hearing loss was assessed with pure tone average, while gait and balance impairments were assessed with the Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment and 10-m walk test (gait speed). Fall occurrence was evaluated by a self-report questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of hearing loss (pure tone average of >25 dB) was higher in stroke patients than in controls (64.1% vs. 35.9%; p < 0.001). The mean pure tone average of stroke patients showed a significant positive correlation with Timed Up and Go test (r = 0.357; p = 0.001) and fall occurrence (r = 0.253; p = 0.025), and a significant negative correlation with Berg Balance Scale (r = -0.299; p = 0.008) and Functional Gait Assessment (r = -0.452; p < 0.001). There was a non-significant negative correlation with gait speed (r = -0.166; p = 0.147). Multiple regression showed that mean pure tone average was associated with Timed Up and Go test (B = 0.096; 95%CI: 0.010, 0.183) and Functional Gait Assessment (B = -0.087; 95%CI: -0.157, -0.017), but not with gait speed (B = -0.003; 95%CI: -0.007, 0.001) and Berg Balance Scale (B = -0.058; 95%CI: -0.165, 0.049). Conclusion: Hearing loss is more prevalent among patients with sub-acute stroke compared with age-sex-matched controls. Hearing loss is also associated with gait and balance impairments and falls among sub-acute stroke patients. We recommend that hearing screening and rehabilitation be incorporated into post-stroke rehabilitation programmes as part of strategies to improve balance and gait and reduce or prevent falls.

Development and Feasibility Testing of a Remote Support Application for Adherence to Home Exercise Programs: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Objectives: Poor adherence to home exercise programs (HEPs) is a significant barrier to continuity of care and eventual outcomes, thus requiring innovative mitigating approaches. This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a remote support application (RSA) designed to encourage adherence to HEPs. Methods: Using standard computer programing, an RSA with administrator and user interfaces was developed for mobile phone or tablet. Consenting patients receiving physiotherapy for musculoskeletal conditions (n=19) were randomly assigned into the experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=9). The experimental group received their customized HEP reminders via the RSA, whereas the control group used conventional paper handouts for HEPs. Adherence to HEPs was assessed over 4 weeks. The feasibility of the RSA was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale and System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaires. Data were summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The adherence rate of patients in experimental group was significantly higher than that of patients in the control group after 2 weeks [median diff.=-6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): -8.0 to -5.0; U=5.00; Z=-3.304; P=0.001; r=0.75] and 4 weeks (median diff.=-7.0, 95% CI: -8.0 to -5.0; U=0; Z=-3.695; P<0.001; r=0.84) of intervention. The RSA had a mean SUS score of 82.53±9.04 (out of 100) and a mean app quality rating score of 75.95±4.98 (out of 95). Conclusions: The use of an RSA to improve adherence to HEPs is feasible for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.