Abstract: Objective To investigate the application of position vector in balance evaluation of stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods The static balance of 30 healthy subjects and 30 stroke patients with hemiplegia was measured by the balance instrument when standing on a force plate with eyes' open.There were 10 patients tested before and after rehabilitation training.Results The position vectorgram of the healthy subjects showed anterior-posterior sway and the patients showed right-left or diagonal sway.The patients exhibited much longer value in position vector than healthy subjects(P<0.01).After rehabilitation training,10 patients showed the changes in position vector at six directions,and there was a significant difference compared with those before rehabilitation training(P<0.01).Conclusion The position vector is clinically valuable in balance evaluation and monitoring the effect of treatment.

Key words: stroke, balance, position vector