Abstract
[Purpose] We investigated the differences in balance ability without upper limb support in between non-stroke and stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty-eight stroke patients who had hemiparesis and 76 non-stroke patients were recruited for this study. [Methods] We compared the Berg balance scale (BBS) of the non-stroke group with the stroke group at each walking level. [Results] Although there was only a small difference in the BBS score between the two groups at the walking level of without a cane, the non-stroke group had a higher BBS score than the stroke group at the walking level of with a cane. [Conclusion] The balance ability without upper limb support of the stroke patients was lower than that of the non-stroke patients at the walking level of with a cane.
