title: Balance is associated with quality of life in chronic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between balance and quality of life (QOL) in chronic stroke survivors by (1) examining the associations between balance and QOL scores; (2) identifying the frequency of balance impairment and poststroke falls; and (3) determining the differences in QOL scores between persons with and those without balance impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. People who had a stroke more than 6 months earlier from 3 Midwest states were included in the study if they met the following criteria: were referred to occupational or physical therapy for poststroke physical deficits; had self-reported stroke-related physical deficits; completed all stroke-related rehabilitation; had residual functional disability; had a score of ≥4 out of 6 on the short 6-item Mini-Mental State Examination; and were between 50 and 85 years old (n = 59). The main outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to assess balance and the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) to assess QOL. Number of falls since stroke was self-reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean BBS score was 44 ± 8 and mean SS-QOL score was 46 ± 8; these scores were significantly correlated (r = .394, P = .002). Seventy-six percent of the sample reported a fall since stroke. Persons with balance impairment (BBS score ≤46; n = 29; 49%) had an average BBS score of 39 ± 7 and significantly worse SS-QOL scores than those without balance impairment (42 ± 8 vs 49 ± 7; P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the chronic stroke population, balance impairment and fall risk are associated with lower QOL scores. If balance can be improved and maintained into the chronic phases of stroke, it is likely that individuals will benefit with improved QOL.
authors.affiliation: Roudebush Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center, Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center on Implementing Evidence-Based Practice, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Arlene A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Puymbroeck
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Altenburger
authors.forename: Kristine K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Combs
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation