Improvement in gait parameters in adults with spastic hemiparesis due to stroke or traumatic brain using Wheeleo crutch

Introduction/Background Patients with chronic hemiparesis following stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) often necessitate a quadripod crutch to improve the balance during gait. The quadripod crutch, by inducing a 3-step gait participates to an asymmetric and slow walking speed. This study aims to assess changes in gait parameters and balance in patients using a quadripod crutch with small wheels (Wheeleo) compared with a classical quadripod crutch. Material and method Prospective, multicentre, randomised study comparing Wheeleo and quadripod crutch (NCT02279069). Thirty-two ambulatory adults with spastic hemiparesis following stroke or TBI necessitating a quadripod crutch for walking participated to the study. The walking speed (WS), the frequency of the 2-step gait, the physiological cost index (PCI) and the number of therapist interventions to control the balance during a 10-meter walking test (10mWT) and a 6-minutes walking test (6MWT) were assessed with a Wheeleo and a quadripod crutch at comfortable and maximal WS. The cadence (during a 10mWT) and the distance (during a 6MWT) were also monitored. The patient satisfaction was assessed by a VAS scale. Results When using a Wheeleo, improvements in WS, cadence, frequency of a 2-step gait, PCI and distance were observed at comfortable and maximal WS. The number of therapist interventions to control the balance remained unchanged. Conclusion Improvements in WS, cadence, distance, 2-step gait, energy cost and patient satisfaction were achieved in hemiparetic adults using a Wheeleo crutch without additional fall risk.