Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2013 August, 230(4)

Impaired Dynamic Balance Is Associated with Falling in Post-Stroke Patients

KIHUN CHO¹ and GYUCHANG LEE²

¹Department of Physical Therapy, Seoul Bukbu Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
²Department of Physical Therapy, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungnam University, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea

Falling is one of the most common complications of stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of falling on cognitive and physical function in post-stroke patients. Further, the predictive factors associated with independence of activity of daily living (ADL) in stroke patients with falls experience were investigated. Sixty-six participants were divided into 2 groups according to history of falling: faller (n = 34) and non-faller (n = 32). All participants were examined for cognitive and physical function. Static balance was measured by postural sway using a force platform. Dynamic balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Modified Rivermead Mobility Index (MRMI), which shows the degree of performance for balance tasks. ADL was measured using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), which shows the degree of independence. The fallers showed lower cognitive and physical function than the non-fallers (p < 0.05). This finding indicates that falling is associated with reduced physical function, as well as reduced cognitive function. In the fallers, the ADL (MBI) was moderately correlated with each of cognition [MMSE (r = 0.388, p = 0.023)], dynamic balance [MRMI (r = 0.514, p = 0.002) and BBS (r = 0.572, p < 0.000)]. In addition, regression analysis showed that BBS was a primary predictor for ADL performance (R² = 0.327, β = 0.572, p < 0.000). Our findings indicate that enhancement of dynamic balance is needed to improve in activities necessary for normal self-care of stroke patients with falls experience.

keywords —— activities of daily living; balance; correlation; falls; stroke

© 2013 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2013, 230, 233-239

GyuChang Lee, P.T., Ph.D., Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungnam University, 499 Woryeong-dong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 631-701, Republic of Korea.

e-mail: leegc76@kyungnam.ac.kr