Is a stroke survivor ready to go back to work? A simple test might tell

By ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ News

FG Trade/E+, Getty Images
(FG Trade/E+, Getty Images)

How fast a young stroke survivor can walk may predict whether they are ready to return to work, British researchers say.

One of every four people who has a stroke is younger than 65, and up to 44% of that group may not be able to return to work, mostly because they have difficulty walking.

Researchers analyzed the relationship between walking speed and readiness to return to work among a small group of stroke survivors in Wales. The study found a walking speed of more than 3 feet per second was a critical threshold: Stroke survivors who walked more slowly were significantly less likely to return to their jobs.

"Stroke affects motor control and motor function," said Hannah Jarvis, lead author of the study published Thursday in the ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ's journal .

"To return to work, you must be able to walk to your car, bus, office and meeting rooms. If you can't walk or you get tired easily, your ability to do your job is going to be seriously impacted," said Jarvis, a research associate at Manchester Metropolitan University in England.

The study compared mobility in 46 stroke survivors, who were between the ages of 18 and 65, to 15 people who had not had a stroke. Using a walking test, researchers measured how fast and far participants walked in three minutes.

Young stroke survivors were less efficient at walking than their healthy counterparts. So, walking at a similar pace required more effort and caused them to tire more easily.

Among the stroke survivors, 23% returned to work – and 90% of them walked faster than the critical threshold. Those who returned to work walked almost 6 feet per second. Those who didn't go back to work covered only 2 1/2 feet per second.

"There was a huge range in outcomes in our stroke population, highlighting the fact that some people recover quickly and can return to work, while others are so severely affected that they cannot go back to work," Jarvis said.

According to the American Stroke Association, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds on average.

The walking speed test is "simple, low-cost and effective," Jarvis said. "In addition, clinicians can use this measure to guide their patients during rehabilitation. For example, they can focus on increasing walking speed and maintaining quality of walking in order to give their patients a chance of going back to work."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ News Stories

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ News stories reflect the official position of the ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ scientific journals or presented at ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ’s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ’s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.