ABSTRACT

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the relationship between visual ability and balance ability in hemiplegic patient.Methods : From July to August in 2003, we have performed MVPT, Berg balance test, One-legged Standing test on 35 hemiplegic patients who were diagnosed as stroke and traumatic brain injury and who were under Occupational Therapy in 4 university hospitals in Daejeon area. Collected data were analyzed by the independent t-test, pearson test and multiple regression.Results : The correlation coefficient r = 0.493 between the Berg Balance Test and the visual perception ability test, which indicates high correlation between visual perception ability and dynamic balance sustain ability. (p<0.01).As for the correlation between the one-leg standing test and the visual perception ability test, r=0.407 in the case that the subjects open their eyes and support themselves on the unparalyzed side of the body, r=0.345 in the case that the subjects close their eyes and support themselves on the unparalyzed side of the body, and r=0.332 in the case that the subjects close their eyes and support themselves on the paralyzed side of the body. These results indicate that there is a correlation between visual perception ability and static balance sustain ability (p<0.05).Conclusion : These results show that visual perception ability affects balance sustainability for hemiplegic patients. Therefore, visual perception ability of the patients should be evaluated in the early stages, and functional prognosis of the patients should be predicted, and the patients should be subject to visual perception ability training programs, thereby leading to anticipation of more effective rehabilitation treatment.