Impacts of walking device use on walking ability in healthy individuals

Abstract

This study compared walking speed and distance in healthy volunteers when walked with a walker, crutches, cane, and walked without a walking device using a cross-over design in 4 days. Twenty four healthy individuals, aged 18- 30 years, were measured for their walking speed using the 10-meter walk test and walking distance using the 6-minute walk test. The findings showed that walking withdifferent types of walking devices clinically reduced walking ability, in which walking speed reduced from 0.38 to 0.97 meters/second and distance walk decreased from 106.09 to 304.97 meters as compared to the ability when walked without a walking device. The findings confirmed adverse impacts of walking device used on walking ability relating to community ambulation. Thus physical therapists and other health professionals should be aware of the methods for health promotion and monitoring for functional alteration to reduce the need of walking device and possible negative impacts due to long-lasting use of a walking device that may occur to the patients.