Balance Assessment in Subacute Stroke Patients Using the Balance Control Trainer (BalPro).
10.5535/arm.2017.41.2.188
- Author:
Jin Won SONG
1
;
Jong Min KIM
;
Youn Soo CHEONG
;
Yang Soo LEE
;
Seong Min CHUN
;
Yu Sun MIN
;
Tae Du JUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Postural balance;
Stroke;
Posturography;
Berg Balance Scale
- MeSH:
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Humans;
Postural Balance;
Posture;
Prospective Studies;
Stroke*;
Walking
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2017;41(2):188-196
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of the balance control trainer (BCT), developed for training patients with balance problems, as a balance assessment tool in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on 38 subacute stroke patients in their first episode of a stroke, and having the ability to maintain a standing position without aid for at least 5 minutes. Patients were assessed using the BCT (BalPro) 43.7±35.7 days after stroke. The balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), a 10-meter walking test (10mWT), a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index. The correlation and validity between the BCT and various balance assessments were analyzed. RESULTS: Statistically significant linear correlations were observed between the BCT score and the BBS (r=0.698, p<0.001). A moderate to excellent correlation was seen between the BCT score and 11 of the 14 BBS items. The BCT scores and other secondary outcome parameters (6MWT r=0.392, p=0.048; TUG r=–0.471, p=0.006; 10mWT r=–0.437, p=0.012) had a moderate correlation. CONCLUSION: Balance control training using the BCT (BalPro) showed significant statistical correlation with the BBS, and could therefore be a useful additional balance assessment tool in subacute stroke patients.
