Are Biomechanical Strategies to Perform Functional Activities Different Between Individuals with Subacute and Chronic Stroke?

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 (alpha = 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.