Analysis of Dependencies Between Fugl-Meyer and Berg Balance Scale Tests as Evaulation of Increased Muscle Tone in Chronic-Phase Patients After Ischaemic Stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Basic functional assessment, on the basis of which rehabilitation programming is carried out in a patient after stroke, consists in examining the efficiency of the upper and lower limbs, balance and, inter alia, muscle tension. Therefore, it is important to identify and understand the relationships between these basic data in order to make formulating conclusions easier and to set appropriate goals in rehabilitation. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate relationships between the assessment of lower limb motor efficiency, measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA), and balance, evaluated via the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), as well as between FMA and muscle tone assessment, measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale in chronic-phase post-ischaemic stroke patients, before and after a 6-week rehabilitation process. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 37 patients following stroke (post-stroke duration > 1 year). All patients were subjected to double functional assessment. Main measures: lower limb motor function, balance and spasticity. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to identify and analyse the relationship between the FMA and BBS as evaluation of increased muscle tone. Results: A highly significant p<0.0001, positive correlation was found between the FMA and BBS tests: first period r=0.6120, second period r=0.6604. There was a highly significant (p<0.0001), negative correlation between FMA evaluation and muscle tone: first period r=-0.6814, second period r=-0.6532. Conclusions: Patients being in the chronic phase following ischaemic stroke demonstrate a high, positive correlation between lower limb motor efficiency of and balance. In this study, a high, negative correlation has also been indicated between motor efficiency of the lower limb and muscle tone of the affected limb, both before and after the applied rehabilitation intervention.