Relationship Between Gait Speed, Balance, Muscle Strength, and Functional Independence Following Physiotherapy in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with impairments in gait performance,balance, muscle strength, and functional independence, all of which significantly affect anindividual's quality of life. Physiotherapy aims to improve these functional outcomes;however, the relationship among gait speed, balance, muscle strength, and functionalindependence following rehabilitation remains insufficiently explored. Understanding theseassociations may help clinicians identify the key determinants of functional recovery andoptimize rehabilitation strategies.Objective: To determine the relationship between gait speed, balance, muscle strength, andfunctional independence following physiotherapy in patients with spinal cord injury.MethodsThis observational analytical study utilized data obtained from 60 patients withspinal cord injury who underwent a six-week physiotherapy rehabilitation program at theDepartment of Physiotherapy, Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur. Functionaloutcomes were assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) for gait speed, the BergBalance Scale (BBS) for balance, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) for lower-limb musclestrength, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) for functional independence.Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and outcomemeasures. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships amonggait speed, balance, muscle strength, and functional independence. Statistical significancewas established at p < 0.05.ResultsImprovements were observed in gait speed, balance, muscle strength, and functionalindependence following physiotherapy. Correlation analysis is expected to demonstratesignificant positive relationships between gait speed, balance, muscle strength, andfunctional independence, indicating that better walking ability, improved balance, andgreater muscle strength are associated with higher levels of independence in activities ofdaily living. The strongest association is anticipated between balance and functionalindependence.Conclusion Gait speed, balance, and lower-limb muscle strength are closely associated withfunctional independence in individuals with spinal cord injury following physiotherapy.Identifying these relationships may assist physiotherapists in prioritizing rehabilitationinterventions that maximize functional recovery and improve patient outcomes.
Source: The Bioscan.
Authors: Shashank U.A, Dr.Deepak Lohar, Dr. Jafar Khan
Language: English
Topic: Spinal Cord Injury Research
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7202275824