Effects of a Six-Weeks Balance Training on Balance Performance and Functional Independence in Hemiparetic Stroke Survivors

Objective: To investigate the effects a 6-week balance training on balance performance and functional independence.

Method: Forty-six stroke survivors whose informed consents were obtained participated in this study. They were purposively recruited from the Murtala Muhammed Specialists Hospitals, Kano, Nigeria and randomly assigned to two groups. They were included if they scored ?45 in the Berg balance scale and have had stroke for not more than six months. The intervention group received conventional stroke treatment and balance training exercise, while the control group received the conventional stroke treatment only. Balance performance was assessed using the Berg balance scale while functional independence was assessed using the Barthel Index. Participants received treatment every other day for six weeks and were re-assessed at 6-week. The balance training used was the sit-to-stand training exercise and was conducted according to standard protocol. Data was analysed using the independent and paired t-tests at 0.05 significance.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 43.69±6.05 years for the intervention group and 47.40±7.50 years for the control group. The groups were homogeneous at the baseline. The mean score of the intervention group (51.22±5.47) was significantly better (p<0.05) in balance performance at the end of the 6-week period than the control (45.26±3.03). The intervention group (61.13±5.68) performed significantly better in functional performance at the end of the 6-week period than the control (53.39±6.11).

Conclusion: The sit-to-stand exercise is effective in improving balance performance and functional independence in a stroke patient.