Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Dec 3. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002674. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was compare the effects of Combined Training (CombT), which included Robot-Assisted Gait Training in addition to Traditional Balance Training (TBT), and TBT alone on balance and fear of falling (FoF) in patients with stroke based on objective assessment methods.
DESIGN: Patients were randomized into CombT Group (CombTG) (n = 21) and TBT Group (TBTG) (n = 21) for duration of 5-weeks. Balance were assessed with EncephaLog App recorded stand-up time (SUT), sit-down time (SDT), and directional sways during walking, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). International Fall Efficacy Scale (FES-I) measured fear of falling (FoF). Fugl Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremity (FMA-LE) assessed limb impairment. Foot posture were assessed with Foot Posture Index (FPI-6).
RESULTS: After the treatments, EncephaLog sways (anterior, medial, lateral: P = 0.04, P = 0.01, P = 0.02), SUT (P = 0.006), SDT (P = 0.002); BBS (P < 0.001); FES-I (P = 0.002) improved in CombTG. TUG (P = 0.01) and FMA-LE (P < 0.001) improved in TBTG. SUT (P = 0.01) and SDT (P = 0.04) showed statistically significant improvement in CombTG compared to TBTG; FMA-LE (P = 0.002) demonstrated statistically significant improvement in TBTG compared to CombTG.
CONCLUSION: Objective assessment indicated that combined treatments in subacute and chronic stroke rehabilitation enhance balance and reduce FoF more effectively than isolated approaches.
PMID:39642346 | DOI:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002674
