PRELIMINARY STUDY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT USING VARIOUS FIELD TESTS AMONG HEMIPLEGIC STROKE PATIENTS IN EARLY STAGE OF REHABILITATION

Abstract

Objective: To identify an appropriate field test with which to assess the physical fitness of a population of hemiplegic patients during early stage of rehabilitation.

Methods: The study population comprised 16 patients: nine men (65 ± 2 years) and seven women (74 ± 6 years) diagnosed with ischemic stroke. Each subject completed three tests with at least 1 day's interval between them (PCI short, Up & Go, and the 20/20 Intermittent Test). The experimental conditions were: 3 min rest followed by exercise and then 3 min of recovery. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured throughout.

Results: Peak and average heart rate were significantly higher with 20/20IT than PCI and Up & GO, and the peak alone differed significantly between PCI and 20/20IT. A very good correlation was observed between 20/20IT and the other two tests.

Conclusion: This study shows that intermittent short exercise could be adapted to evaluate stroke patients in the initial phase of rehabilitation. Such a test would provide functional information and help guide rehabilitation training.