Balance Ability in Acute Stage Rehabilitation Patients

Abstract

We measured center of gravity sway while standing still, maximum walking speed and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) of acute stage stroke and early post-op. stage orthopedic patients, and examined their balance ability. The BBS total score was high for patients who did not require supervision while walking in the hospital, and they had a walking ability which was not at risk of falls. However, if the BBS scores for one-leg standing, turning around 360 degrees, tandem standing and looking behind over the shoulder were low, it was easy for the patients to lose their balance. Furthermore, compared to healthy elderly persons, the area covering the center of gravity sway in standing still, a parameter detailing postural control, was significantly higher, and maximum walking speed was significantly lower. From these results it cannot be said that the patients could maintain their balance or walk like healthy elderly people.