title: Balance disability after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Balance disability is common after stroke, but there is little detailed information about it. The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of balance disability; to characterize different levels of disability; and to identify demographics, stroke pathology factors, and impairments associated with balance disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects studied were 75 people with a first-time anterior circulation stroke; 37 subjects were men, the mean age was 71.5 years (SD=12.2), and 46 subjects (61%) had left hemiplegia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective hospital-based cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 2 British National Health Service trusts. The subjects' stroke pathology, demographics, balance disability, function, and neurologic impairments were recorded in a single testing session 2 to 4 weeks after stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 83% of the subjects (n=62) had a balance disability; of these, 17 (27%) could sit but not stand, 25 (40%) could stand but not step, and 20 (33%) could step and walk but still had limited balance. Subjects with the most severe balance disability had more severe strokes, impairments, and disabilities. Weakness and sensation were associated with balance disability. Subject demographics, stroke pathology, and visuospatial neglect were not associated with balance disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjects with the most severe balance disability had the most severe strokes, impairments, and disabilities. Subject demographics, stroke pathology, and visuospatial neglect were not associated with balance disability.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research, University of Salford, Salford, M6 6PU United Kingdom. s.tyson@salford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sarah F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Tyson
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chillala
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Selley
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tallis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*