title: Influence of clinical and demographic factors on static balance among stroke survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is often characterized by disturbance in balance and mobility among the survivors with its attendant rehabilitation potentials. Static balance serves as a foundation for attainment of functions in patients with stroke, yet its determinants are usually under-estimated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was therefore designed to determine the influence of some clinical and demographic factors on static balance in stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty (80) hemiparetic stroke survivors participated in this cross-sectional survey. Demographic variables include age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) whilst knee range of motion, (ROM) duration of stroke, levels of disability and spasticity of the paretic lower limbs of the participants were the clinical variables. Universal Goniometer, Barthel Index, and Modified Ashworth Scale were used to assess ROM, disability and spasticity levels respectively. The outcome measure for static balance was Functional Reach Test. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis was performed to establish the correlations between some selected variables and the static balance. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the participants was 56.7+/-12.8 years. They comprised 37(46.2%) right hemiparetic and 43 (53.8%) left hemiparetic patients. Significant positive correlation was observed between functional reach scores and knee ROM, spasticity and disability levels (r=0.3; r=0.5; 0.2) respectively. However, the mean age, weight, height and BMI of the participants were not significantly correlated with functional reach scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Joint range of motion, spasticity and disability levels were the main determinants of static balance in stroke survivors. These factors should be considered whilst priotizing goals during rehabilitation of stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana,Ghana. iabello@chs.edu.gh
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oduro
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Adjei
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*