Article

Stroke-related sensorimotor impairment potentially contributes to
impaired balance. Balance measures that reveal underlying limb-specific control
problems, such as a measure of the synchronization of both lower limbs to
maintain standing balance, may be uniquely informative about poststroke balance
control. This study aimed to determine the relationships between
clinical measures of sensorimotor control, functional balance, and fall risk and
between-limb synchronization of balance control. METHODS: The authors conducted a
retrospective chart review of 100 individuals with stroke admitted to inpatient
rehabilitation. Force plate-based measures were obtained while standing on 2
force plates, including postural sway (root mean square of anteroposterior and
mediolateral center of pressure [COP]), stance load asymmetry (percentage of body
weight borne on the less-loaded limb), and between-limb synchronization
(cross-correlation of the COP recordings under each foot). Clinical measures
obtained were motor impairment (Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment), plantar
cutaneous sensation, functional balance (Berg Balance Scale), and falls
experienced in rehabilitation. RESULTS: Synchronization was significantly related
to motor impairment and prospective falls, even when controlling for other force
plate-based measures of standing balance control (ie, postural sway and stance
load symmetry). CONCLUSIONS: Between-limb COP synchronization for standing
balance appears to be a uniquely important index of balance control, independent
of postural sway and load symmetry during stance.

Langue : ANGLAIS