Association between Proprioceptive Dysfunction and Balance Impairment in Adults with Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objective: Proprioceptive impairment is commonly observed in neurological disorders and may be associated with impaired balance function.However, the magnitude and consistency of this association across different clinical populations have not been quantitatively synthesised.We quantified associations between objectively assessed proprioceptive-related somatosensory function and balance outcomes in adults with neurological disorders.Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, and VIP were searched from database inception to May 2026.Observational studies reporting extractable associations between objectively assessed proprioceptive-related somatosensory function and balance outcomes were included.Correlation coefficients were synthesised using Fisher's z transformation and random-effects models.Heterogeneity and leave-one-out influence analyses were conducted.Results: Six studies involving 404 participants with stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis were included.Proprioceptive-related somatosensory function was associated with BBS, TUG, postural sway, and FRT outcomes.Statistical heterogeneity was low for the pooled outcomes, although only two to three studies contributed to each analysis.Conclusions: Proprioceptive-related somatosensory function was associated with balance outcomes in adults with stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis.These findings support the clinical importance of proprioceptive assessment in neurorehabilitation and provide a rationale for further evaluating proprioceptive-targeted interventions aimed at improving balance control and functional mobility.