Relationship between impairments and gait performance after stroke: a summary of relevant research

This review was undertaken to describe the relationship between clinical measures of impairment and gait performance in patients with stroke. Twenty-four studies were analysed. Four major gait variables and five major impairments were identified. Strength of the paretic lower extremity and standing balance were found consistently to be correlated with gait performance. These variables therefore represent appropriate targets for evaluation and treatment in patients with stroke.