Article

The Berg balance scale (BBS) is commonly used to assess balancing
ability in patients with stroke.
The BBS may be a good candidate for clinical
assessment prior to orthotic intervention, if it correlates well with outcome
measures such as gait speed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
correlation between the BBS measured prior to walking with an ankle-foot orthosis
(AFO) and specific temporal-spatial parameters of gait when walking with an AFO
donned. METHODS: Eight individuals with chronic stroke participated in this
study. Balancing ability was assessed using the BBS, while temporal-spatial
parameters of gait (gait speed, bilateral step length, stride length and step
width) were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The
correlations between the BBS and gait parameters were investigated using a
non-parametric Kendall's Tau (tau) correlation analysis. RESULTS: The BBS showed
correlations with gait speed (tau = 0.64, p < 0.05), the step length of the
affected side (tau = 0.74, p < 0.05), and the stride length
(tau = 0.64, p <
0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the BBS prior to AFO prescription may
potentially help clinicians to estimate the gait speed achievable following
orthotic intervention in patients with stroke. Implications for Rehabilitation
Assessment of the BBS prior to AFO prescription may help orthotists to estimate
the gait speed following an orthotic intervention in patients with stroke.
Assessment of the BBS prior to AFO prescription may help orthotists to understand
overall balance and postural control abilities in patients with stroke. A larger
scale multifactorial analysis is warranted to confirm the results of this pilot study.

Langue : ANGLAIS