LAUSR

AIM To investigate the relationship between spatiotemporal gait variability and falls self-efficacy after chronic stroke while taking into account the effect of some known potential confounders including fall numbers and gait velocity. METHODS Participants (n = 62) walked at their preferred speed to calculate gait variability for stride time, stride length, swing time, and double-support percent. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) assessed falls self-efficacy. The linear regression tests were used for statistical analysis. Age, sex, time since stroke, paretic side, motor impairments, fall numbers, and gait velocity were considered as independent variables. RESULTS Increased FES-I score was related to higher stride time variability (R 2 = 0.65, F(8,53) = 15.44, P < .05). Increased FES-I was associated with higher stride length variability (R 2 = 0.42, F(6,55) = 8.44, P < .05). However, further adjustment on gait velocity and fall numbers made the association non-significant (R 2 = 0.41, F(8,53) = 6.4, P > .05). No significant relationship was identified between FES-I and swing time (R 2 = 0.08, F(8,53) = 0.39, P > .05) and FES-I and double-support percent variability (R 2 = 0.04, F(8,53) = 0.67, P > .05). CONCLUSION The results indicate that increased FES-I score may be related to increased stride variability post stroke.