Prevalence of Balance Impairment Among Stroke Survivors Undergoing Neurorehabilitation in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Poststroke balance impairment adversely affects stroke outcomes and addressing the impairment is expected to constitute an important focus of neurorehabilitation.

AIMS: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with balance impairment after stroke.

METHODS: Ninety-five stroke survivors undergoing neurorehabilitation at 2 government hospitals in Northern Nigeria participated in this cross-sectional study. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess the presence of balance impairment (BBS score of 0-20). Prevalence of balance impairment was presented as frequency and percentage while demographic and stroke-related determinants of balance impairments were identified using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Thirty-five (36.8%) stroke survivors had balance impairment, and age, gender, and poststroke duration were statistically significant determinants. Stroke survivors aged less than 40 years (odds ratio [OR] = .14 [confidence interval [CI] = .20-.94]) and 40-59 years (OR = .23 [CI = .06-.81]) had a lower likelihood of having balance impairment compared to stroke survivors aged 60 years and above. Similarly, males had a lower likelihood of having balance impairment (OR = 1.60 [CI = .05-.55]) compared to females while those in the acute/subacute phase of stroke had a 7-fold likelihood of having balance impairment (OR = 7.74 [CI = 2.63-22.79]) compared to those with chronic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS: Poststroke balance impairment appears to be significantly influenced by stroke survivors' age, gender, and poststroke duration. Hence, these variables should be considered when planning rehabilitation strategies for improving balance after stroke.