title: The contributions of balance to gait capacity and motor function in chronic stroke.
abstract: [Purpose] The aim of this study was to identify the contributions of balance to gait and motor function in chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three outpatients participated in a cross-sectional assessment. Gait ability was assessed using the functional ambulation category, self-paced 10-m walking speed, and fastest 10-m walking speed. Standing balance and trunk control measures included the Berg Balance Scale and the Trunk Impairment Scale. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. [Results] Balance was the best predictor of the FAC, self-paced walking speed, and fastest walking speed, accounting for 57% to 61% of the variances. Additionally, the total score of TIS was the only predictor of the motor function of the lower limbs and the dynamic balance of TIS was a predictor of the motor function of the upper limbs, accounting for 41% and 29% of the variance, respectively. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated the relative contribution of standing balance and trunk balance to gait ability and motor function. They show that balance has a high power of explanation of gait ability and that trunk balance is a determinant of motor function rather than gait ability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, St. Vincent Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Bo
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, St. Vincent Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Sungsim Rehabilitation Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Dong
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Bobath Memorial Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Il
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Hanseo University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kang Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungdong University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Ja
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byong Yong
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Hwang
keywords: Balance; Chronic stroke; Gait