Evaluation of the effectiveness of selected scales and methods used in the assessment of gait and balance after a cerebral stroke

Mariusz Drużbicki
ID
Email src
Grzegorz Przysada
ID
Email src
Justyna Rykała
Email src
Justyna Podgórska
Agnieszka Guzik
ID
Email src
Krzysztof Kołodziej
ID
Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy, Medical Department, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy of University of Rzeszów, Poland
Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Health Science, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the balance and gait of outpatients undergoing late stroke treatment and the relationship between the assessment of gait and balance using clinical tests and the assessment of static balance using stabilometric tests.

Materials and methods. Post-stroke patients with hemiparesis undergoing ambulatory physiotherapy were examined. The Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS), the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) were used to assess gait, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Get Up and Go test were used to assess balance, and stabilometric tests were used to assess static balance. Examination was conducted twice before and after physiotherapy.

Results. A statistically significant improvement of gait speed and quality and gait functions, assessed with the DGI (p=0,0001) and the FGA (p=0,0002), was observed after treatment. An improvement of balance assessed with the BBS and the Get Up and Go test was also recorded. Static balance using stabilometric tests did not change in the standing position with the eyes closed (the surface of COP). Poor and average relationship between clinical methods of gait and balance assessment and parameters of stabilometric balance assessment was shown. 

Conclusions. Rehabilitation of patients with hemiparesis undergoing late stroke treatment has a significant influence on the improvement of balance and gait functions

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited