Association of Gait with Balance Components in Hemiparetic Patients with Subacute Stroke using the Balance Evaluation Systems Test

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine associations between gait and balance components in hemiparetic patients with subacute stroke using the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest).

Methods: This retrospective study included 66 patients who were hospitalized with stroke. Balance was assessed using the BESTest, and gait was assessed using the functional ambulation category (FAC), maximum walking speed (MWS), and the timed up and go test (TUG). Partial correlation coefficients between each section of the BESTest and gait performance tools of the FAC, MWS, and TUG were calculated.

Results: The FAC, MWS, and TUG significantly correlated with sections I and V, sections other than section II, and all sections of the BESTest, respectively.

Conclusion: The FAC, which is gait within the context of daily living, was associated with a few components of balance. However, sections I and V of the BESTest and all gait performance tools were associated, suggesting that their application would be useful for clinical intervention.