Visual perception correlates with balance and motor performance in patients with stroke

Abstract

This main objective of this pilot study was to explore the relationship of subjective visual performance and balance and motor performance in patients with stroke. This is a cross-sectional study with 21 subjects with chronic stroke. Visual perception was measured by Motor-Free Visual Perception test-3 (MVPT-3); balance performance was measured by the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) using Computerised Dynamic Posturography and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The motor performance were assessed by the Timed Sit to Stand (TSTS) test, walking speed and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-3 results were significantly correlated with BBS scores (r=0.509, P?0.019), TSTS scores (r= -0.736, P?0.001), TUG scores (r= -0.457, P?0.037), but not SOT and gait velocity. This is the first study to explore the relationship between visual perception and balance and motor performance in subjects with stroke. Subjective visual perception is related to functional balance and motor performance after stroke. Our study highlights the importance of visual perception in stroke rehabilitation in order to improve balance and motor performance in patients with stroke. Further study with larger sample size is warranted to determine the contribution of visual perception on balance performance in performance with stroke.