Balance and mobility in acute stroke: Association with subgroups of stroke and socio-demographic characteristics

Abstract

Aims. The main purpose was to investigate balance and mobility in the acute phase post-stroke regarding the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) classification, as well as to determine the relationship between balance, mobility and socio-demographic characteristics in patients with first-ever stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 183 participants. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Figure-of-Eight test (Fig8), Maximal Walking Speed (MWS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) were assessed. The OCSP subgroups were total anterior circulation syndromes (TACS); partial anterior circulation syndromes (PACS); posterior circulation syndromes (POCS) or lacunar syndromes (LACS). Major findings. Mean age was 72 years and 48.6% were women. Male, cohabitant and younger participants scored significantly better on the BBS compared with females, those living alone and older participants. Despite impaired balance and mobility usually following strokes in the brain stem and cerebellum, the POCS group scored on the same level as LACS and PACS groups regarding balance and mobility. Only the TACS group had significantly lower BBS, TUG and MWS scores than the other participants. Conclusions. The results show that being younger, male and a cohabitant were significantly associated with better balance in the acute phase post-stroke. The TACS group differed significantly from the other OCSP groups, performing worse regarding balance and mobility.

Key words::

• Balance
• demographics
• mobility
• Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project
• stroke

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the physiotherapists Audhild Tørstad, Else Dreyer and Gry Anita Karlsen for participating in the data collection.

Funding

This research received no specific grants from any funding agency in the public commercial or non-profit sectors.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.