Gait, balance and functional independence level in stroke patients

Abstract

Introduction: Most stroke patients present with limited movement, which alters gait speed and balance. The aim of this study was to correlate balance and gait speed and weight distribution and balance in post-stroke patients. Method: There were thirty-six participants. Data collection took place as follows: filling out the assessment form; assessment with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); assessment with the baropodometry platform; performing the 10 Meter Walk Test (10mWT) with accelerometer; the modified Rankin Scale (mRS); the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC); the Barthel Index (BI). Results: There was a negative correlation between FAC and mRS (r= -0.708; p <0.05) and between BI and mRS (r=-0.716; p <0.05). The correlation between BI and FAC was positive (r= 0.591).There was a strong positive correlation between the 10mWT values and the BBS score (r= 0.708; p <0.05). In addition, a weak negative correlation was observed between BBS values and lower limb weight distribution (r= -0.378; p <0.05). Conclusion: There was a correlation between the functional ambulation and the degree of independence. This study showed that the better the balance, the greater the gait speed, and the lower the weight distribution difference in the lower limbs, the better the balance in post-stroke patients.