Predicting independence of gait by assessing sitting balance through sitting posturography in patients with subacute hemiplegic stroke

BACKGROUND Post-stroke sitting balance is a known predictor of independence of gait after stroke. However, previous studies used only qualitative scales or measured static or dynamic sitting balance alone. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether quantitative parameters of sitting posturography at post-stroke 1 month can predict independent gait. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled patients with first-ever stroke who could hold a sitting posture at post-stroke 1 month. Sitting balance was assessed using posturography at post-stroke 1 month. Independence of gait was assessed using functional ambulation categories at post-stroke 2 months. We predicted mobility independence at post-stroke 2 months according to sitting balance at post-stroke 1 month. We also assessed the correlation between sitting posturography parameters and clinical scales. RESULTS We enrolled 27 patients. The limit of stability deviation predicted independent gait at post stroke 2 months (cutoff, 78.4%). Further, there was a high degree of correlation between sitting posturography parameters (weight-bearing distribution deviation and limit of stability deviation) and Berg Balance Scale (ρ = 0.763, ρ = 0.777; p < .001, respectively), Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (ρ = -0.853, ρ = -0.929; p < .001, respectively), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale (upper extremities: ρ = 0.520, ρ = 0.480 [p = .005, p = .011, respectively]; lower extremities: ρ = 0.744, ρ = 0.564 [p < .001, p = .002, respectively]) scores. CONCLUSIONS Sitting posturography parameters is clinically useful because they can quantitatively assess post-stroke balance and neurological impairment and predict post-stroke independence of gait even when patients cannot reach their arms forward or stand upright.