Relationship Between Walking Capacity, Biopsychosocial Factors, Self-efficacy, and Walking Activity in Persons Poststroke.

Background/purpose: Many factors appear to be related to physical activity after stroke, yet it is unclear how these factors interact and which ones might be the best predictors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to examine the relationship between walking capacity and walking activity, and (2) to investigate how biopsychosocial factors and self-efficacy relate to walking activity, above and beyond walking capacity impairment poststroke.

Methods: Individuals greater than 3 months poststroke (n = 55) completed the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Modified Cumulative Illness Rating (MCIR) Scale, Walk 12, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and oxygen consumption testing.

Combining Fast-Walking Training and a Step Activity Monitoring Program to Improve Daily Walking Activity After Stroke: A Preliminary Study.

Objectives: To determine preliminary efficacy and to identify baseline characteristics predicting who would benefit most from fast walking training plus a step activity monitoring program (FAST+SAM) compared with fast walking training (FAST) alone in persons with chronic stroke.

Design: Randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors.

Setting: Outpatient clinical research laboratory.

MnO Conversion in Li-Ion Batteries: In Situ Studies and the Role of Mesostructuring.

Complex manganese oxides have been extensively studied as intercalation Li-ion battery electrodes. The simple oxide MnO has been proposed as a conversion anode material with a theoretical capacity of 756 mAh g(-1) for full reduction to the metal. We report the reaction of MnO with Li using in situ X-ray diffraction and find no sign of crystalline products upon either discharge or charge.

A step activity monitoring program improves real world walking activity post stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the walking activity of persons with stroke could be increased through participation in a step activity monitoring program and to assess whether this occurred through a change in the structure of walking activity.

Method: Sixteen individuals living with chronic stroke (>6 months post-stroke) wore a StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM) and completed a four-week goal centered activity monitoring program. Descriptors of step activity were averaged across baseline and the last week of monitoring, and were used to analyze the changes.