Post stroke recovery of balanced sitting and ambulation ability

Abstract

The primary aim of this retrospective audit was to determine whether sitting balance ability at initial physiotherapy assessment post stroke could predict ambulation ability at discharge. Also considered were the side affected by the stroke, sensory loss, dysphasia, whether they affected outcome and whether ambulation ability determined social destination at discharge. Forty stroke patients were treated during the 12-month study period. All patients received early physiotherapy treatment in the acute then rehabilitation wards. The average length of hospital stay was 47.7 ± 28.2 [SD] days. All patients achieved independent sitting balance at discharge, with a significant improvement (p < 0.001) from initial assessment. Twenty-seven achieved independent ambulation by discharge. This was shown to have a significant (p < 0.001) relationship to early independent sitting balance but was not significantly related to side of stroke or sensory loss.

The Relationship Between Balance, Disability, and Recovery After Stroke: Predictive Validity of the Brunel Balance Assessment

“…As with previous studies, [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] our results confirm the poor prognosis for independence for people with limited sitting balance soon after stroke. Most people with limited sitting balance remained disabled, with few becoming independent in transfers, walking, or stairs.…”

“…One factor that has consistently been shown to be predictive of recovery is the absence of sitting balance soon after stroke; patients without static sitting balance show less functional recovery than people who have sitting balance. 5,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] The absence of static sitting balance is a relatively crude measure, which affects a minority of people with stroke, 20 but other measures that involve a range of balance abilities have rarely been included in predictive models of stroke outcome. The restoration of balance is considered a key aspect of stroke rehabilitation [21][22][23] because balance is believed to be an essential precursor of the restoration of independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), functional mobility, and prevention of falls.…”

Predictors of Poststroke Mobility: Systematic Review

“…Previous stroke, age, urinary and bowel incontinence, and visuo-spatial deficits are some factors shown to be predictive of function (10, 11). One of the earlier studies identified a significant relationship between independent early sitting balance and independent ambulation; however, this was based on a retrospective audit of 40 stroke patients and the timing of outcome assessment for patients varied (12). A more recent prospective study of 217 rehabilitation inpatients concluded that the outcome of mobility one-year poststroke can be predicted using functional status, sitting balance, time between stroke onset and admission to rehabilitation, and age (13).…”

Analysis of Trunk Rolling Performances by Mattress Mobility Detection System in Poststroke Patients: A Pilot Study

“…Trunk performance has been demonstrated to be a predictor for the functional outcomes after stroke. In patients with hemiparetic stroke, the length of hospital stay is associated with trunk function [ 7 , 8 ]. Trunk performance in sitting position after stroke predicted functional ability and destination at discharge from rehabilitation [ 9 ].…”