Question

You are evaluating a patient who experienced a stroke < 2 years ago and their partner reports they are walking slower, which outcome measure would you use?

a. Rancho OGA
b. 6 minute walk test
c. 10-meter walk test
d. DGI

Answer 1

The 10-meter walk test is the most suitable outcome measure for evaluating specific changes in a stroke patient's walking speed, reported by their partner.

Step-by-step explanation:

When evaluating a patient who has experienced a stroke less than 2 years ago and reports a decrease in walking speed, the appropriate outcome measure to use would be the 10-meter walk test. This test can provide information on the patient's gait speed and is a straightforward way to assess changes in a patient's walking abilities. Considering the concern is specifically about walking speed, the 6-minute walk test, which measures the distance walked over a set time and can reflect endurance, may also be relevant, but the 10-meter walk test directly addresses the issue of speed. The Rancho Los Amigos Observational Gait Analysis (Rancho OGA) is comprehensive but more suited for observational gait analysis, and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) assesses gait, balance, and fall risk more broadly, not speed specifically.