Self-reported factors associated with community ambulation after stroke: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

PLoS One. 2024 Mar 28;19(3):e0299569. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299569. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Community ambulation is frequently limited for people with stroke. It is, however, considered important to people with stroke. The objectives were to identify factors associated with self-reported community ambulation in Canadians aged 45+ with stroke and to identify factors associated with community ambulation specific to Canadian males and to Canadian females with stroke. Data were utilized from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Tracking Cohort. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed for community ambulation. Mean age was 68 (SE 0.5) years (45% female). In the final community ambulation model (n = 855), factors associated with being less likely to 'walk outdoors sometimes or often' included difficulty or being unable to walk 2-3 blocks (decreased endurance) vs. no difficulty. Being more likely to walk outdoors was associated with 'better weather' months and being 55-64 years of age vs 75-85. Differences were noted between the models of only males and only females. Decreased walking endurance is associated with a decreased likelihood of walking in the community-a factor that can be addressed by rehabilitation professionals and in community based programs.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • North American People
  • Self Report
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*
  • Stroke* / complications
  • Stroke* / epidemiology
  • Walking

Supplementary concepts

  • Canadian people

Grants and funding

RB, SCW, JR received funding for this study from the Endowment Fund of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Manitoba. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.