Ulrich Lindemann1,2, Michael Schwenk3,4, Syn Schmitt5,6, Michael Weyrich5,7, Wolfgang Schlicht5,8, Clemens Becker3,5. 1. Department of Geriatrics and Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany. ulrich.lindemann@rbk.de. 2. Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology and Environment, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. ulrich.lindemann@rbk.de. 3. Department of Geriatrics and Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany. 4. Network on Aging Research, University of Heidelberg, Bergheimer Str. 20, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany. 5. Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology and Environment, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. 6. Institute of Sports and Movement Science, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 28, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany. 7. Institute for Automation and Software Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany. 8. Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Chair Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstraße 15, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Wheeled walkers are recommended to improve walking performance in older persons and to encourage and assist participation in daily life. Nevertheless, using a wheeled walker can cause serious problems in the natural environment. This study aimed to compare uphill and downhill walking with walking level in geriatric patients using a wheeled walker. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of using a wheeled walker with respect to dual tasking when walking level. METHODS: A total of 20 geriatric patients (median age 84.5 years) walked 10 m at their habitual pace along a level surface, uphill and downhill, with and without a standard wheeled walker. Gait speed, stride length and cadence were assessed by wearable sensors and the walk ratio was calculated. RESULTS: When using a wheeled walker while walking level the walk ratio improved (0.58 m/[steps/min] versus 0.57 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023) but gait speed decreased (1.07 m/s versus 1.12 m/s, p = 0.020) when compared to not using a wheeled walker. With respect to the walk ratio, uphill and downhill walking with a wheeled walker decreased walking performance when compared to level walking (0.54 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023 and 0.55 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.001, respectively). At the same time, gait speed decreased (0.079 m/s versus 1.07 m/s, p < 0.0001) or was unaffected. CONCLUSION: The use of a wheeled walker improved the quality of level walking but the performance of uphill and downhill walking was worse compared to walking level when using a wheeled walker.
BACKGROUND: Wheeled walkers are recommended to improve walking performance in older persons and to encourage and assist participation in daily life. Nevertheless, using a wheeled walker can cause serious problems in the natural environment. This study aimed to compare uphill and downhill walking with walking level in geriatric patients using a wheeled walker. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of using a wheeled walker with respect to dual tasking when walking level. METHODS: A total of 20 geriatric patients (median age 84.5 years) walked 10 m at their habitual pace along a level surface, uphill and downhill, with and without a standard wheeled walker. Gait speed, stride length and cadence were assessed by wearable sensors and the walk ratio was calculated. RESULTS: When using a wheeled walker while walking level the walk ratio improved (0.58 m/[steps/min] versus 0.57 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023) but gait speed decreased (1.07 m/s versus 1.12 m/s, p = 0.020) when compared to not using a wheeled walker. With respect to the walk ratio, uphill and downhill walking with a wheeled walker decreased walking performance when compared to level walking (0.54 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023 and 0.55 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.001, respectively). At the same time, gait speed decreased (0.079 m/s versus 1.07 m/s, p < 0.0001) or was unaffected. CONCLUSION: The use of a wheeled walker improved the quality of level walking but the performance of uphill and downhill walking was worse compared to walking level when using a wheeled walker.
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