The effects of balance and gait function on quality of life of stroke patients

BACKGROUND: Stroke patients have a lower quality of life than other people. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of balance and gait function of stroke patients on their quality of life. METHODS: Twenty-seven subjects participated in the experiment. Balance ability was assessed using a SpaceBalance 3D and a Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Gait function was measured with a Biodex Gait Trainer 2 treadmill system. The quality of life of the subjects was assessed through the Stroke specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). RESULTS: Correlation analysis between balance and quality of life showed that weight bearing distribution and BBS are positive correlated with quality of life. In addition, gait speed, step length of the paretic limb, and step length of the non-paretic limb were also found to be correlated with quality of life. CONCLUSION: Balance and gait function must all be considered in order to improve the quality of life of stroke patients.