A Cross-Sectional Study on the Significance of Side Step Length for Dynamic Balance Assessment in Ambulatory Stroke Subjects Arju B1, Joshua AM2, Ganesan S3 1MPT, Consultant Neuro-Physiotherapist, Children first 2Head of Department Physiotherapy, KMC Mangalore, Manipal University, 3Associate Professor, KMC Mangalore Manipal University from the Department of Physical therapy, Manipal University, Mangalore Online published on 31 October, 2012. Abstract Objective To establish the correlation between the Side step length and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for dynamic balance assessment in ambulatory stroke subjects. Design A Cross-sectional study. Setting Tertiary care hospital. Subjects A total of thirty subjects (mean age: 56years ±10.66) with supratentorial stroke were recruited for the study by convenient sampling. All the subjects were ambulatory and were able to walk 10 meters unassisted. Intervention(s) Not applicable. Main Outcome measure (s) Correlational analysis was done between the BBS and Side step length by using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results Results showed a high linear positive correlation between the Side step length and BBS (p<0.01). Conclusion Present study concluded that the Side step length of affected and unaffected side had linear positive correlation with BBS total score. Side step length of both sides was almost equal. Approximate score of BBS may be estimated by the side step length of affected or unaffected side. Side step length can be used as a marker of dynamic balance in ambulatory stroke subjects. Top Keywords Stroke, Berg Balance Scale, Balance. Top |