Prognostic value of balance performance for improvements of community ambulation among stroke patients: a cohort study

Background Despite the positive impact of improving the level of community ambulation among stroke patients, little prognostic research has focused on this indicator. Aim To investigate the prognostic value of the side-by-side, semi-tandem, and tandem standing balance positions and the five-sit-stand (5STS) test for discriminating patients undergoing physical rehabilitation who improve level of functional ambulation and predicting transition time. Design A cohort study with assessments repeated monthly until discharge for classifying patients in a community ambulation class. Setting A neurological rehabilitation unit of a hospital in Spain. Population A consecutive sample of 109 stroke pati…