Correlation of the Berg Balance Scale and Smart Balance Master System for Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

The purpose of this study was to find correlation between the Berg Balance Scale which is most commonly used and the equilibrium scores from Smart Balance Master System which is used for the test of the balance ability for the patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke to predict their falling risk though examining the postural control. Twenty-two subjects who had first stroke participated in this study. Participants were measured the Berg Balance Scale and the Smart Balance Master System. The study found that there was a significant correlation between the Berg Balance Scale and the equilibrium scores from Smart Balance Master System. And there was no significant correlation at all "eye-closed and sway of surfaces" in the 6 conditions of Smart Balance Master System and there was a significant correlation with over median in the other 5 conditions. The study was uncovered that there was no meaningful correlation between the Berg Balance Scale and "eye-closed and sway of surfaces" because chronic hemiparetic stroke patients heavily relied on their vision to maintain their balance ability and the Berg Balance Scale did not properly exam it. Thus to predict their falling risk in clinical practice for the patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke, it would be more efficient ways for us to consider all the effects of sensory organs with more than one clinical evaluation method.