Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal-RN, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Tatiana Souza Ribeiro, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil. Tel.: +55 (84) 3342 2010; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To evaluate if the capacity to perform functional mobility activities change within the first year post-stroke using the Timed “Up and Go” Assessment of Biomechanical Strategies (TUG-ABS). METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted with thirty-eight stroke individuals. A motion analysis system was used during the Timed “Up and Go” (TUG) test to evaluate the following activities: sit-to-stand, gait, turn, and stand-to-sit. Kinematic variables related to each activity were obtained in addition to TUG-ABS scores. The ability to perform the activities was compared between subacute (up to 3 months post-stroke, n = 21) and chronic participants (4 to 12 months post-stroke, n = 17) using Mann-Whitney U tests (α= 5%). RESULTS:Results were expressed as median difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). TUG-ABS scores: Sit-to-stand (MD = 0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 1), gait (MD = 0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 1), stand-to-sit (MD = 0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 1), and total score (MD = 2.0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 6) were not different between groups. Subacute participants presented significant better scores during turn activity (MD = 2.0, 95% CI 0.0 to 2.0). All kinematic variables were not different between participants. CONCLUSIONS:Capacity to perform functional activities was not different within the first year post-stroke, suggesting that biomechanical strategies are developed within the first three months following stroke.
