Sitting balance: Its relation to function in individuals with hemiparesis

Objectives: To evaluate test-retest reliability of sitting balance measures in healthy subjects and individuals with hemiparesis secondary to stroke, to evaluate the ability of the balance measures and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) to document changes over time, and to compare changes in the balance measures and FIM to each other. Method: Six nonpatient subjects were evaluated for test-retest reliability. Fourteen subjects with hemiparesis were tested every 2 weeks during their hospitalization on their ability to lean to either side, lean forward, and maintain a symmetrical posture, Maximum displacement was recorded using the Balance System. FIM scores were obtained for each testing session. Results: Test-retest reliability for nonpatient subjects was high and for patients was moderate to high. Leaning forward and to the paretic side showed the greatest number of correlations with the FIM scores. All of the FIM scales and the forward lean measure documented progress, Conclusions: The protocol developed to test sitting balance, using the Balance System, seems appropriate for use with patient populations. The ability to lean maximally to either side or forward or sit symmetrically is not strongly related to function. (C) 1996 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation