Assessment of the Influence of Balance on Gait of Persons with Stroke

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to analyze the prediction of and the relationship between gait and postural control of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects] Thirty stroke patients participated in this study. We conducted three common clinical assessments: the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). [Results] Multiple regression analysis was performed. The dependent variables were the DGI and the POMA for walking and the independent variables were BBS score, post-stroke duration, age, sex, and affected side. In the regression equation for DGI, the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.776, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.602, and the BBS score was the most important variable for determining the DGI score. In the regression equation for the POMA score, r was 0.769, R2 was 0.591, and the BBS score was the most important variable for determining POMA score. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the walking ability should be determined on the basis of the balance ability of stroke patients. More assessment tools of walking ability as well as balance ability are required.