QURESTAIRS = Quantified rehabilitation in stairs

Click the links below to download “QURESTAIRS” = Quantified rehabilitation in stairs:

QURESTAIRS Quantified rehabilitation in stairs 241212F.xls

 

The work of the ascent and descent of stairs indirectly improves the gait of rehabilitation patients in general and in particular hemiplegics (balance, endurance, quality of walking).

At the beginning of progression, the patient can take his time, the important thing is to not lose balance.

Knowledge of results (KR) allows patient motivation and set reasonable goals to achieve during the next rehabilitation session.

For patients at the end of progression or for those who can go up and down over 100 stairs without holding onto the railing, we can quantify the speed.

Example: At each session the patient goes up and down the stairs for 15 minutes but he tries to go a little faster. Result: improved speed, balance and endurance.

By cons, for patients at the beginning of progression or for those who cannot go up and down 60 stairs the search of speed is not recommended because the patient may lose balance and fall.

Instead, it must take all the time to achieve its performance without losing balance.

Speed tests are not a good indication of the patient's progress at this stage.

It is therefore unnecessary at this stage to complete the item  "Duration measured in minutes" and to find that the speed is not progressing.

At the beginning of progression: only fill the check box "Number of stairs crossed". The number of stair gives knowledge of results effective, necessary and sufficient.

It is possible to use the usual stairs of the building or "training stairs"  that you can find in a rehabilitation center.

It is necessary to achieve performance without cheating that is to say without holding his therapist. Conversely, the therapist must not touch or hold the patient because it would interfere with the self-organization of walking.

It is a real progression of the "dynamic equilibrium".

 

Each additional stair performed with respect to the previous session is a victory.

These “small” progresses are very important for the patient's motivation and the progress of his rehabilitation.

 

Authors of this article:

Roland SULTANA (Physical Therapist)

Dr. Gilbert Heurley (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)

and collaborators