Relationship between strength of the paretic lower limb and motor, balance, walking speed,ADL for hemiparetic stroke patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between strength of the paretic lower limb and motor function, balance, walking speed, ability of daily living (ADL) in hemiparetic stroke patients.Methods85 stroke subjects, who were able to walk in the study, were evaluated in the strength of the paretic lower limb, motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL with Motricity Index, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, 10 m walking speed test and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The levels of association between them were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients and with multiple linear regression analyses by using the stepwise method. ResultsStrengths of the paretic lower limb were significantly positive related to motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL (r=0.592-0.811,P0.001). The paretic ankle dorsiflexors, knee extensors, hip flexors were important clinical factor to consider in determining motor function(R 2=0.377, P0.001), balance(R 2=0.321, P0.001)and walking speed(R 2=0.173,P0.001), ADL(R 2=0.42, P0.001). ConclusionStrengths of the paretic lower limb of stroke patients may play an important role in their motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL.