INTRODUCTION: The incidence of stroke it increases with the aging and each successive decade above 55 years leads to a doubling of stroke incidence. Among the current complications of stroke are the unbalance postural and depression. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and correlate the postural balance and depression in elderly with and without stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 38 subjects (19 with stroke and 19 without). The balance was evaluated by Berg Balance Scale and the depression by Yesavage Depression Scale. RESULTS: Elderly with stroke presented depression when compared with elderly without the disease (p < 0.0001). The risk of falling in elderly with stroke was 102 times higher than in elderly without stroke. There was a correlation between depression and balance (r = -0.55; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with sequels of stroke have unbalance and greater depression, when compared with elderly of same age without the disease.
Stroke; Falls; Depression
