Impact of balance on functional independence after stroke: A cross-sectional study at rehabilitation settings in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Functional independence is often compromised after stroke and its restoration is one of the goals of stroke rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the impact of balance on functional independence after stroke.

METHODS: Ninety-five stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation at two health institutions in Nigeria participated in the study. Balance and functional independence were respectively assessed with the Berg Balance Scale and the Barthel Index. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the independent impact of balance on functional independence while controlling for participants' age, sex, side of hemiparesis and post-stroke duration.

RESULTS: Mean±SD age of the participants was 58.4±13.1 years and females were more (f = 48; %  = 50.5). The regression model from the binary regression analysis explained 73.2% (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.732) of the variance in functional independence. Good balance function was found to independently and significantly (P <  0.01) increase the likelihood of being functionally independent after stroke (Odds ratio = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.58).

CONCLUSION: The goal of attaining functional independence after stroke may depend to a significant extent on good balance function irrespective of the stroke survivor's age, sex and post-stroke duration.