Balance disability after stroke.
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.
Tyson
Sarah F
SF
Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research, University of Salford, Salford, M6 6PU United Kingdom. s.tyson@salford.ac.uk
Hanley
Marie
M
Chillala
Jay
J
Selley
Andrea
A
Tallis
Raymond C
RC
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*