Investigation of the relationship between fall risk and dynamic balance with arm swings in stroke patients

In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between the degree of arm sway with dynamic balance and fall risk in stroke patients. 30 stroke patients who were able to walk independently, had a first stroke, mean age 54.73 ± 6.52, were included in our study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the individuals were recorded. Evaluations were made in Hacettepe University Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Prosthesis-Orthotics unit laboratory. Video analyzes of individuals who were videotaped during walking were made with Dartfish Pro Suite 7 Analysis Software. In order to measure arm swings during the analyses, the maximum flexion/extension degrees of the affected and intact sides of the individuals were recorded. While the dynamic balance of individuals is evaluated with Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Limits of Stability Test (LoS) and Functional Reach Test; Performance-Oriented Movement Evaluation I (POMA-I), Tinetti Balance and Gait Evaluation and Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test were used to assess fall risks. A statistically significant relationship was found between the affected side flexion angle and DGI (p<0,05). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the unaffected side flexion angle and the affected side LoS (p<0,05); A negative correlation was found between the unaffected side extension angle and DGI, posterior LoS, affected side LoS, and intact side LoS (p<0,05). A result was found that increasing the arm swing angle of the affected side, which is the sum of the extension and flexion angles of the affected side, increases the dynamic balance (p<0,05). Especially the affected side flexion angle; A negative correlation was found between the total arm sway of the affected side and TUG (p<0,05). As a result, it was found that arm swings and certain parameters were significantly associated with dynamic balance and fall risk. However, since this relationship cannot be fully proven with all rating scales, future studies are needed. Key Words: Stroke, arm swings, dynamic balance, fall risk