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F.-Y. Wang1, L.-Y. Chen1
1Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Department of Physical Therapy, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
Background: Balance dysfunction after stroke can lead to loss of independence and restrictions in activities of daily of life. Many factors, such as muscle weakness, limited range of motion, abnormal muscle tone, and impaired sensation contribute to difficulties of balance control. In particular, the aim of rehabilitation for patients with stroke is to increase muscle strength, because muscle strength is closely related to functional balance. However, the relationship between specific muscle strength in lower-limb and balance is not completely understood.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between balance control and lower-limb strength in stroke patient.
Methods: Nine subjects aged 25 to 60 years stroke patient were tested for maximal muscle strength of bilateral lower limbs (hip extensor, hip flexor, hip abductor, knee extensor and knee flexor) and balance score (including static and dynamic posture stability test and Limits of stability test on Biodex Balance System). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to quantify the linear relationship between balance score and lower-limb strength.
Results: The affected lower-limb strength was significant weaker than unaffected limb for all muscle groups. The ratio of paretic and nonparetic leg strength was 60% to 91%. Paretic hip extensor strength was positively correlated with static posture stability (r=0.68, P<0.05). Paretic hip abductor was positively correlated with posterior limit of stability(r=0.71, P<0.05).
Conclusion(s): There was a correlation between lower-limb strength (paretic hip extensor and abductor) and balance control.
Implications: To achieve better balance control, paretic hip extensor and hip abductor strengthening should be considered and taken into account during balance training.
Funding, acknowledgements: Unfound
Keywords: Lower-limb strength, balance, stroke
Topic: Neurology: stroke
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare
Committee: Institutional Review Board
Ethics number: TYGH107047
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
