Clinical factors affecting balance and symmetry of the lower extremity weight bearing in post stroke patients

Teresa Pop, Joanna Glista, Wojciech Rusek

Teresa Pop, Joanna Glista, Wojciech Rusek – Clinical factors affecting balance and symmetry of the lower extremity weight bearing in post stroke patients. Fizjoterapia Polska 2012; 12(3); 251-262

Abstract
Cerebrovascular stroke has become the third most common cause of death in many developing countries and one of main causes of long term disability. The aim of the study was to evaluate an impact of the degree of paresis in the upper extremity and the side of paresis on balance and the lower extremity weight bearing in patients with ischemic stroke. The study group included 51 stroke patients, admitted for treatment to the Provincial Hospital No.2 in Rzeszow. The control group included 51 subjects in the same age group with no stroke history. We assessed functional efficiency of the hand according to the Brunnström scale, balance and symmetry of the lower extremity loading using stabilometric Zebris platform. Statistical analysis did not show any significant differences between the mean values obtained for the examined balance parameters in regard to the side of paresis. However, a statistically significant difference was found between the mean values obtained for the examined parameters of lower extremity weight bearing symmetry and the side of paresis. The degree of the upper extremity paresis correlates with balance parameters and lower extremity weight bearing symmetry in stroke patients with left-sided hemiparesis. The side of paresis affects the symmetry of lower extremity weight bearing.
Key words:
Cerebrovascular stroke, upper extremity paresis, lower extremity weight bearing symmetry, balance
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