Berg balance scores at admission strongly correlates with functional outcomes and with walking speed after inpatient rehabilitation post-stroke

Abstract

The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a test of functional balance. It is commonly applied during inpatient rehabilitation, and has been shown to predict length of stay and discharge destination as well as predict walking suitable for community ambulation at discharge from inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to correlates BBS with Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores and with walking speed at discharge in our cohort. Prospective observational study, with retrospective analysis of records after a 1st inpatient program in a rehabilitation service in 2014. The BBS was evaluated at admission and discharge. Functionality was measured by FIM, subdivided in activities of daily living (ADL), transfers, walking ability, cognitive outcome and total FIM score. Walking speed was measured by 10-m walking test. The results were analyzed with t-student paired samples and Pearson correlation. From a total of 119 patients discharged in 2014, in 105 it was possible to obtain BBS, and their respective FIM and walking speed at admission and discharge. From 105 patients, 47 (44.8%) were men and 58 (55.2%) were women. The mean age of the patients was 60.55 years. 31 (29.5%) patients had haemorrhagic strokes and 74 (70.5%) had ischaemic ones. 53 (50.5%) patients had left hemiparesis, 44 (41.9%) right hemiparesis and 8 (7.6%) double hemiparesis. On average, the patients were hospitalized for 69.11 days (SD 13.44). BBS presented a significant improvement from admission to discharge (P < 0.05). There was a positive and strong correlation (r > 0.7) with ADL, transfers, walking ability, total FIM scores, at admission and discharge. BBS also presented a positive strong correlation with walking speed at admission and at discharge. In our cohort, BBS had a strong correlation with functional and motor outcomes, which is in line with previously published studies.