2013 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 5-9
[Objective] We investigated which of a functional reach test (FRT) with open or closed eyes more efficiently reflects balance ability. [Subjects] The subjects were 60 stroke patients. [Methods] FRT with open and closed eyes were compared employing the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. In addition, the associations of the FRT with Br.stage, plantar sensation, lower limb and toe muscle strengths, TUG, walking speed, BBS, and hemispatial neglect were investigated based on Spearmanʼs rank correlation coefficient. [Results] The value on the FRT with closed eyes was significantly lower than that on the FRTwith open eyes. The results of FRT with open and closed eyes were significantly correlated with Br.stage of the lower limbs, plantar sensation, toe muscle strength, TUG, walking speed, and BBS. The correlations of the FRT with open eyes with TUG and BBS were moderate, but those of the FRT with closed eyes were strong. [Conclusion] It was shown that the FRT with closed eyes more efficiently reflected the balance ability of stroke patients than the FRT with open eyes.
