The relationship between static standing capacity and lower limb static strength in hemiparetic stroke patients

This study was undertaken to determine if static standing capacity in 81 hemiparetic stroke patients was related to the static strength of seven muscle groups of both the paretic and nonparetic lower extremities. Standing capacity was graded using an ordinal scale. Static strength was measured using a hand held dynamometer. Standing capacity was correlated (p<0.01) with the strength of six muscle groups of each lower extremity. Regression analysis revealed that standing capacity was predictable by the strength of the paretic muscle groups (adjusted R ² = 0.193, F = 3.74, p = 0.002), but not the nonparetic muscle groups (adjusted R ² = 0.121, F = 2.57, p = 0.020). Because of the distribution of standing scores in this study and the limited explanation of standing capacity by the strength measurements, further study is important if the factors responsible for standing capacity are to be identified. Such identification should help direct the choice of treatment strategies.