[Pedestrians in Berlin after stroke. Recommendations for street and subway transit]. / Fussgänger in Berlin nach einem Schlaganfall. Anforderungen im Strassenverkehr und in der U-Bahn.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The yearly incidence of stroke in Germany is 180 per 100,000 inhabitants. Three months after stroke onset, 20% of these patients are still wheelchair-bound and walking ability and endurance are markedly decreased in 70%. Our work group evaluated which abilities the patients need to master the local road traffic and use the subway (underground) to guarantee mobility and sustain social contacts. METHODS: We assessed the time needed to cross the street at traffic lights and use subway stations in Berlin, Germany. RESULTS: The mean gait velocity needed was 0.89+/-0.41 m/s to cross the street during the green phase at selected traffic lights. Fourteen of 29 (48.28%) subway stations on the U2 line in Berlin had neither lift nor escalator to the surface. Travellers had to climb a mean of 25.41+/-2.67 steps. Berlin's U7 line has 40 stations, four of which (10%) had no lift or escalator. There it was necessary to climb a mean of 27.13+/-7.03 steps. CONCLUSION: The recommendations for renewing walking ability in chronic stroke patients are considerable. Therefore the emphasis of physiotherapy should be on increasing walking speed and endurance.