Impact of Pelvic Alignment and Balance on Clinical and Community Walking Performance in Patients with Stroke: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Stroke is global health problem leading to significant mortality and morbidity. Patients with stroke has asymmetrical weight bearing and altered pelvic alignment. Low cardiovascular fitness affects the ability of walking and promote negative effect on overall health. So, the purpose was to analyse the influence of pelvic alignment on balance, and gait in patients with Stroke and its relation with walking performance.

Methods: 39 patients with Sub-acute and Chronic Stroke were recruited in a Cross-sectional study. Participants were assessed by measuring the Pelvic Alignment by using Palpation Meter, Balance and Gait by Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Scale (POMA), Walking speed and Walking distance in Clinical and Community set-up by 10 m walk test and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT).  

Result: Anterior Pelvic tilt (APT) shows negative correlation with POMA (r= -0.5, p= 0.0004) and Lateral Pelvic tilt (LPT) shows no negative corelation with POMA (r= -0.12, p= 0.34). APT was negatively correlated with Clinical (r= -0.63, p< 0.05) and community (r= -0.61, p< 0.05) walking speed along with the Clinical (r= -0.66, p< 0.05) and community (r= -0.66, p< 0.05) walking distance and LPT shows no significant negative corelation with clinical and community Walking speed and walking distance. Balance and gait component of POMA was positively corelated with walking performance. Walking speed and distance was extremely significant between two set up.

Conclusion: The study concluded that there is impact of Pelvic alignment and balance on clinical and community walking performance in patients with Stroke.