How Changing Visual Flow Affects Walking Speed in Stroke Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Anouk Lamontagne, Joyce Fung, Bradford J McFadyen, Jocelyn Faubert
Primary Institution: McGill University and Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital Research Center
Hypothesis
Persons with stroke would still present sufficient modulation of walking speed in response to changing optic flow speeds despite alterations in their modulation response.
Conclusion
Stroke affects the modulation of gait speed in response to changes in the perception of movement through different optic flow speeds, but some modulation remains possible.
Supporting Evidence
- Healthy subjects showed an out-of-phase modulation of gait speed in response to optic flow speed changes.
- Persons with stroke displayed weaker correlation coefficients between gait speed and optic flow speed.
- Manipulation of optic flow speed could be used in gait rehabilitation interventions for stroke patients.
Takeaway
This study looked at how people who had a stroke walk when they see different speeds of moving visuals. It found that they can still walk faster when the visuals are slower, even if their walking speed changes aren't as strong as healthy people.
Methodology
Twelve persons with stroke and twelve healthy individuals walked on a self-paced treadmill while viewing a virtual corridor with changing optic flow speeds.
Potential Biases
Potential bias may arise from the selection of participants and the specific testing environment.
Limitations
The study was limited by the small sample size and the specific conditions under which the experiments were conducted.
Participant Demographics
12 persons with stroke (9 males, 3 females) and 12 healthy controls (8 males, 4 females), with stroke confirmed by imaging.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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