Article

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the existence of discordance between perceived and
measured balance in persons with stroke and to examine the impact on walking
speed and falls. DESIGN:
A secondary analysis of a phase three, multicentered
randomized controlled trial examining walking recovery following stroke.
SUBJECTS: A total of 352 participants from the Locomotor Experience Applied
Post-Stroke (LEAPS) trial. METHODS: Participants were categorized into four
groups: two concordant and two discordant groups in relation to measured and
perceived balance. Number and percentage of individuals with concordance and
discordance were evaluated at two and 12 months. Walking speed and fall incidence
between groups were examined. MAIN MEASURES: Perceived balance was measured by
the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale, measured balance was determined
by the Berg Balance Scale and gait speed was measured by the 10-meter walk test.
RESULTS: Discordance was present for 35.8% of participants at two months post
stroke with no statistically significant change in proportion at 12 months.
Discordant participants with high perceived balance and low measured balance
walked 0.09 m/s faster at two months than participants with concordant low
perceived and measured balance (p < 0.05). Discordant participants with low
perceived balance and high measured balance walked 0.15 m/s slower than those
that were concordant with high perceived and measured balance (p 0.0001) at 12
months. Concordant participants with high perceived and measured balance walked
fastest and had fewer falls. CONCLUSIONS: Discordance existed between perceived
and measured balance in one-third of individuals at two and 12 months
post-stroke. Perceived balance impacted gait speed but not fall incidence.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS