Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2011;66(12):2043-8.
doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322011001200008.

Abnormal sensory integration affects balance control in hemiparetic patients within the first year after stroke

Clarissa B Oliveira  1 , Ítalo R T Medeiros, Mario G Greters, Norberto A F Frota, Leandro Tavares Lucato, Milberto Scaff, Adriana B Conforto
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Abnormal sensory integration affects balance control in hemiparetic patients within the first year after stroke

Clarissa B Oliveira et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011.

Erratum in

  • Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012;67(2):203

Abstract

Objective: Impairments in balance can be a consequence of changes in the motor, sensory, and integrative aspects of motor control. Abnormal sensory reweighting, i.e., the ability to select the most appropriate sensory information to achieve postural stability, may contribute to balance impairment. The Sensory Organization Test is a component of Computerized Dynamic Posturography that evaluates the impact of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs, as well as sensory reweighting, under conditions of sensory conflict. The aim of this study is to compare balance control in hemiparetic patients during the first year post-stroke and in age-matched neurologically normal subjects using the Berg Balance Scale and Computerized Dynamic Posturography.

Methods: We compared the Berg Balance Scale and Sensory Organization Test scores in 21 patients with hemiparesis after first-ever ischemic stroke and in 21 age-matched, neurologically normal subjects. An equilibrium score was defined for each Sensory Organization Test condition.

Results: Berg Balance Scale scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects. Equilibrium scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects for those Sensory Organization Test conditions that did not provide appropriate somatosensory information and under conditions of sensory conflict. A history of falls was more frequent in patients with lower equilibrium scores.

Conclusion: During the first year after a stroke, defective sensory reweighting significantly impacts balance control in hemiparetic patients. These results are important for the planning of effective rehabilitation interventions.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Selection of participants. The number of patients included at each stage of the research is shown.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The six test conditions of the Sensory Organization Test. Picture reprinted with permission from NeuroCom InternationalTM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Forster A, Young J. Incidence and consequences of falls due to stroke: a systematic inquiry. BMJ. 1995;311:83–4. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Wing MA, Goodrich S, Virji-Babul N, Jenner J, Clapp S. Balance evaluation in hemiparetic stroke patients using lateral forces applied to the hip. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1993;74:292–9. - PubMed
    1. Chen IC, Cheng PT, Hu AL, Liaw MY, Chen LR, Hong WH, et al. Balance evaluation in hemiplegic stroke patients. Chan Gung Med J. 2000;23:339–46. - PubMed
    1. De Haart M, Geurts AC, Huidekoper SC, Fasotti L, Van Limbeek J. Recovery of standing balance in postacute stroke patients: a rehabilitation cohort study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85:886–95. 10.1016/j.apmr.2003.05.012 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Lamb SE, Ferrucci L, Volapto S, Fried LP, Guralnik JM, Gustafson Y. Risk factors for falling in home-dwelling older women with stroke: the Women's Health and Aging Study. Stroke. 2003;34:494–500. 10.1161/01.STR.0000053444.00582.B7 - DOI - PubMed

Publication types