Overestimation associated with walking and balance function in individuals diagnosed with a stroke

ABSTRACT

Background

An estimation error is the difference between motor imagery and actual motor time. Previous studies have reported that overestimation (motor imagery time < actual motor time) is related to physical functions in healthy individuals. However, this finding is unclear among individuals diagnosed with a stroke.

Objective

We investigated whether overestimation is related to physical function in individuals diagnosed with a stroke.

Methods

This study included 71 individuals diagnosed with a stroke (mean age, 67.2 ± 13.4 years; mean time since stroke, 68.4 ± 44.7 days). Imagined timed up and go test (iTUGT) was performed to assess the estimation error. First, the iTUGT was performed; subsequently, the TUGT was performed. The estimation error was calculated by subtracting the TUGT from the iTUGT, with two standard deviations (2 SDs) being calculated. Furthermore, patients were classified into appropriate estimation (AE, within ±2 SD) and overestimation (OE, over −2 SD) groups. Both groups were tested using the estimation error, iTUGT, TUGT, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Brunnstrom Recovery Stage (BRS). Subsequently, a correlation analysis was performed.

Results

The OE group had a significantly higher estimation error than the AE group (OE: −7.08 ± 6.87 s, AE: −0.29 ± 1.53 s, P < .001). Moreover, the OE group had significantly lower TUGT and BBS than the AE group. The estimation error was correlated with the TUGT, BBS, and lower-limb BRS (ρ = −0.454, 0.431, 0.291, respectively; P < .05).

Conclusions

Overestimation was associated with TUGT and balance function in individuals diagnosed with a stroke.

KEYWORDS:

• Estimation error
• stroke
• timed up and go test
• balance
• motor imagery

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ukai rehabilitation hospital staff and Reiwa rehabilitation hospital staff for their help with the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.