Abstract

Clinical Evaluation of Balance in Adults with Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury

Objectives: The study aimed to find if the balance was impaired in patients of traumatic brachial plexus injury. The objectives were to assess the static balance using single leg stance test time and dynamic balance using the time component of modified dynamic gait index in adults with partial or complete brachial plexus injury (study group) and compare it with healthy normal adults (control group). Methodology: It was a cross-sectional, comparative, observational, single-center study carried out for a period of 6 months including statistical analysis. Total 20 patients with partial or complete traumatic brachial plexus injury and 20 age and gender-matched healthy normal adults were recruited from 18-45 years of age, of either gender who were willing to participate in the study. Individuals with any congenital, cognitive, vascular, neurological issues or with injuries to lower limb were excluded. Static balance was measured using single leg stance test time (in seconds) thrice for each leg (its average was then taken) and the dynamic balance was measured using the score out of 24 for time variable of modified dynamic gait index. Results: No statistical difference in left (p=0.3141) or right (p=0.1572) single leg stance test time was observed, however, there was a statistical difference in ‘time’ component of modified dynamic gait index between the 2 groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study shows that the static balance was not affected but the dynamic balance was affected in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury.

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