Walking on inclines alters the gait characteristics in patients with acute stroke.

Background: Stroke leads to severe difficulties in daily activities, even when performing a simple task, such as walking from one point to another. The first apparent compensatory strategy in stroke survivors during walking is to slow down the walking speed. Slowing down the walking speed directly reduces the step length and cadence and further increases the stance phase, double, and support time. These alterations are to develop a compensatory strategy; however, this strategy generally leads to joint injuries and increases the potential risks of falls.

Research Question: A review strongly suggests that walking on the inclines may enhance this compensatory strategy. Therefore, this study attempted to extend the current knowledge to understand the fundamental gait control in patients with acute stroke during walking on inclines.

Results: These results showed that (1) compared to healthy control, patients with acute stroke demonstrated different gait controls during walking on inclines, (2) the gait performance was enhanced when stroke patients were instructed on different inclines, and (3) the asymmetric gait pattern was reduced by walking on inclines.

Significance: This study concluded that walking on inclines enhances gait performance (greater spatial but smaller temporal gait characteristics) and reduces spatial gait asymmetry.