Introduction: Balance dysfunction, particularly in standing, is a devastating sequel to stroke since the
ability to balance is one of the most critical motor control factors in daily life. Physiotherapists use a
variety of balance and stability techniques as a part of treatment programmes to improve functional
independence in patients following a stroke. However more scientific evidence for the effectiveness of
these techniques or programs is required. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of
a balance and stability training program on stability, balance and functional independence in stroke
patients. Method: The aims of this study were achieved using a randomised controlled trial. A
questionnaire allowed the collection of demographic data from fifty participants who had suffered the first
stroke, regardless of gender or race. The Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients (PASS), Berg
Balance Scale (BBS), Barthel Index (BI) and questionnaire were administered to all fifty participants on
the first and last weeks of a twelve week physiotherapy program. For ten weeks twenty five randomly
assigned participants in each of the control and experimental groups underwent either normal
physiotherapy or stability and balance intervention exercise program respectively. Data Analysis: The
raw data was normalized by calculating percent changes for each item for each participant and the pooled
data subjected to Wilcoxon signed ranks testing, paired samples signed tests and Pearson’s correlations.
Results: PASS, BBS and BI scores increased significantly from pre-test to post-tests in both groups, with
greater changes noted in the experimental group, showing improvements in stability, balance and
function. In addition a strong and significant correlation between stability scores and balance scores
suggested that stability is important to improve balance. Similarly a strong and significant correlation
between stability and balance scores with function scores confirms the value of stability and balance in
improving function. It was further noted that in addition to a certain degree of spontaneous recovery,
traditional physiotherapy programs also result in improvement in stability, balance and function but not to
the same extent as with the program of treatment which emphasizes stability and balance exercises.
Conclusion: A significant improvement in the stability, balance and function in stroke patients was
achieved with the balance and stability intervention program. Conventional physiotherapy methods also
improved stability, balance and function, but to a lesser extent than the balance and stability training. / Thesis (M.Physio.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/10167 |
| Date | 04 December 2013 |
| Creators | Naidoo, Pooveshni. |
| Contributors | Puckree, Threethambal. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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