Differences in standing balance by level of upper extremity motor impairment after stroke

BACKGROUND: Postural instability is a common and disabling consequence of stroke. Emerging evidence suggests that the upper extremities may also contribute to postural control - even during quiet stance. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether varying levels of UE motor impairment are associated with distinct postural control profiles in individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in outpatient neurorehabilitation centers. Sixty-five individuals with chronic stroke (mean age 56.77 ± 12.86 years; 56.92% male), all able to stand and walk independently, were included. Participants were stratified by upper extremity motor impairment severity using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). Postural sway was evaluated with instrumented posturography employing a Wii Balance Board and open-source software. Center of pressure displacement and mean sway velocity were recorded under four sensory conditions. Clinical balance scales complemented the instrumented assessment. RESULTS: = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity motor impairment was associated with greater mediolateral instability during quiet standing in chronic stroke, supporting the clinical relevance of considering upper extremity function in balance-focused rehabilitation.