title: Balance and Gait Impairment in Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been little research into gait and balance impairment in transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke, despite these conditions affecting large numbers of people and the potential impact on function. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of TIA and minor stroke on gait and balance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve people with TIA or minor stroke without previous gait/balance problems and 12 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. Participants (mean age 67 years) underwent a comprehensive assessment including physiological, balance, and gait measures (clinical and computerized [NeuroCom/GAITRite]). Matched-pairs analysis was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups were similar in body mass index, vision, leg proprioception/strength, and reaction time. Cognition was worse in the TIA/minor stroke group: mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment score 22.2 versus 26.6, P = .001. People with TIA/minor stroke were significantly worse on all but one clinical test. Median scores for TIA/minor stroke versus control were as follows: Timed Up and Go (TUG), 9.4 versus 7.6 seconds, P = .019; TUG dual task, 12.3 versus 8.5 seconds, P = .012; Four Square Step Test, 10.9 versus 7.2 seconds, P = .006. Mean Step Test score for TIA/minor stroke versus control was 14.1 versus 17.7, P = .021. The TIA/minor stroke group also had significantly worse performance on computerized tests: increased turn time/sway, increased step length, slower comfortable/fast gait speeds, and greater proportion of gait cycle spent in double support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that people with TIA/minor stroke have gait and balance dysfunction despite having no obvious physiological impairments. Intervention studies aimed at improving balance and gait in this population are needed.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: f.batchelor@nari.unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Frances A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Batchelor
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neurology, Western Health, Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Tissa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wijeratne
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Said
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neurology, Western Health, Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petty
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010808:Physical Examination; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Transient ischemic attack; balance; gait; minor stroke; rehabilitation; stroke recovery