Relationship between functional balance tests and postural sway parameters in bending and picking up the object on the floor task in the chronic hemiparetic patients

 Introduction: Because of the complex nature of postural control and impairment of the numerous systems involved in it after stroke, various clinical and laboratory methods have been addressed for postural control assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between functional balance tests and postural sway parameters of center of pressure (COP).  Materials and Methods: In this correlational study, seventeen chronic stroke patients by mean age of 53.18 (9.88) years and the mean time after injury of 66.18 (77.03) months were selected by simple non-probability sampling method. Functional Reach (FR) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests were used for clinical assessment of functional balance and force platform was used to measure the average COP velocity, total path excursion, maximum COP displacement in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions in bending and picking up the object on the floor task for each of 6 target locations (in two near and far distances and 3 right, middle and left directions). Results: TUG functional balance test showed significant (p