title: Gait and balance performance of stroke survivors in South-Western Nigeria--a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke survivors are often left with neurological and functional deficits, which impair their ability to walk and affect their balance. This study assessed gait parameters and balance performance among stroke survivors and examined the relationship between these two factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy stroke survivors (65.7% males) who were 6 months or more post stroke participated in this study. Using Observational Gait Analysis, the gait of participants was assessed by gait speed and cadence. Balance performance was assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale for balance self-efficacy and Functional Reach Test for standing balance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants had a mean age of 53.5 ± 10.4 years. Forty five (64.3%) stroke survivors had haemorrhagic stroke while 25 (35.7%) had ischaemic stroke. The mean gait speed and cadence were 0.6 ± 0.3m/s and 69.1 ± 38.1 steps/min, respectively. The mean balance self-efficacy score was 66.5 ± 17.7 and mean functional reach distance was 18.7 ± 2.6 cm. There were significant relationships between gait speed and balance self-efficacy (r =0.461, p =0.001) and between cadence and functional reach distance (r =0.247, p =0.020).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study concluded that stroke survivors with higher cadences had higher functional reach distances, and those with higher gait speeds had better balance self-efficacy. Gait speed and cadence are factors related to balance performance. These factors should be considered during gait and balance retraining and should go pariparsu in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adebimpe Olayinka
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Obembe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria ; Department of Physiotherapy, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Matthew Olatokunbo
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Olaogun
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria ; Department of Physiotherapy, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rufus
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adedoyin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020377:Self Efficacy; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Nigeria; Stroke; balance; cadence; gait; gait speed; rehabilitation; stroke survivors