Contribution of subjective balance confidence on functional mobility in subjects with chronic stroke

To examine the contribution of subjective balance confidence, balance ability, motor impairments and muscle strength to the timed 'Up & Go' (TUG) scores of 78 subjects with chronic stroke using cross-sectional design.

Functional mobility was measured in terms of TUG scores. Balance ability and subjective balance confidence were assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale, respectively. Stroke-specific motor impairment and muscle strength of lower extremity were measured using the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment lower extremity (FMA-LE) scores and hand-held dynamometer.

We found that the TUG scores had the highest negative correlation with subjective balance confidence. After controlling for use of walking aids, significant partial correlations were identified between the TUG scores and subjective balance confidence and balance ability. Applying linear regression model, the TUG scores showed association with subjective balance confidence and balance ability, independently. The motor impairments and muscle strength, however, were not significant predictors of TUG scores. The whole model could explain 63.0% of the variance in the TUG scores.

Our results support that improving both subjective balance confidence, in addition to functional balance training could be crucial in promoting functional mobility of community-dwelling stroke survivors.