Balance Confidence and Balance Ability among Community-residing Stroke Patients

Kim, Jung Hee; Kim, Oksoo

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the balance confidence and balance ability among community-residing stroke patients. METHODS: The sample for this study was a convenience sample obtained from patients who visited welfare centers for the disabled in three cities from October to December in 2009. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and Berg Balance Scale were used to measure confidence in task performance and balance ability. RESULTS: The level of balance confidence and balance ability were low in these subjects. There was a significant relationship between balance confidence and balance ability (r=.424, p=.000). Subjects with less balance ability felt less balance confidence. CONCLUSION: Among community-residing stroke patients, falls are common. Falls prevention which may contribute to the incidence of fall and fall related injury should be part of stroke rehabilitation plan. Also, it is necessary that an intervention for falls prevention after stroke should take into account factors such as the balance confidence and balance ability.