Post-stroke Depression and Its Relationship with Balance Impairment and Mobility in Patients with Chronic Stroke Hemiparesis – A Correlational Study

Abstract Background: Stroke is defined as the immediate loss of neurological function caused by an interruption of the blood supply to the brain or because of the bursting of blood vessels in the brain. A major problem that has been encountered and recorded by clinicians after a stroke attack is depression, which has been found out in almost 33% of patients, and is termed as post-stroke depression (PSD). The balance in gait impairment in stroke patients affects the functional mobility leading to a reduction in psychological health. This not only affects functional independence but also has been shown to decrease the graph of rehabilitation progress. The objective of the study is to identify the relationship between the gait and balance deficits in chronic stroke patients with depression. Methodology: Thirty chronic stroke patients who fulfilled the study criteria participated in the study. The demographic details of the patients were recorded. The gait and balance capabilities of the patients were assessed using Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and Berg Balance Index (BBS) respectively. T he depression levels of the patients were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The statistical analysis found a significant negative correlation between BDI and DGI (r= -0.850, p<0.001) and between BDI and BBS values (r= -0.904, p,0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that the depression levels are lower in chronic stroke patients with better gait and balance capabilities.