Altered control of postural sway following cerebral infarction: a cross-sectional analysis

Balance impairment is common following cerebral infarction. However, the effects of lesion hemisphere on postural control are largely unknown. We examined dependence upon vision and noninfarcted regional brain tissue volumes for postural control in individuals with right and left hemisphere middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarcts.

Subjects with right MCA infarct (n = 17, age = 65 +/- 8 years, 7 +/- 6 years poststroke), left MCA infarct (n = 20, age = 65 +/- 8 years, 7 +/- 6 years poststroke), and controls (n = 55, age = 65 +/- 8 years) were studied. Postural control was defined by average velocity and the range and variability of mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) sway during eyes-open and eyes-closed standing. Regional brain volumes were quantified using anatomic MRI at 3 Tesla.

Right and left hemisphere stroke groups had similar infarct volumes and outcomes. Subjects with right hemisphere infarcts demonstrated greater sway velocity, ML range, and ML variability with eyes closed compared to eyes open. In this group, smaller occipital lobe volumes were associated with greater eyes-open sway velocity (R = -0.64, p = 0.012) and ML range (R = -0.82, p = 0.001). Smaller cerebellar volumes were associated with greater eyes-closed sway velocity (R = -0.60, p = 0.015), ML range (R = -0.70, p = 0.007), and ML variability (R = -0.85, p < 0.001). These associations were not observed in left hemisphere infarct subjects or controls. AP sway was unaffected by infarct hemisphere or visual condition and did not correlate with regional brain volumes.

Right hemisphere middle cerebral artery infarcts are associated with increased dependence on vision and noninfarcted brain regions (i.e., occipital lobes, cerebellum) to control postural sway. Strategies emphasizing postural tasks under reduced visual conditions may enhance functional recovery in these individuals.