Effects of Perturbation-Based Balance Training along with usual therapy for improving lower limb functional activity for people who experienced a stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a disorder where brain is damaged either by blockage in the blood vessels or rupture of the blood vessels. It is the approximately number five leading cause of death. It is also the leading cause of longer period disability as well as preventable cause of disability. Objectives: To determine and compare balance, functional mobility before and after application of perturbation-based balance training along with usual physiotherapy among patients with Stroke. Methodology: Classic experimental study design was used in this study. 60 patients with stroke were randomly assigned into two groups among them 30 patients were assigned into experimental group received perturbation-based balance training with usual physiotherapy and another 30 into control group received only usual physiotherapy. Total treatment sessions were twenty comprising of 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Single blinding procedure was used during data collection. Outcome measurement tools: Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to measure balance. Inferential statistics such as Mann-Whitney U test was used for between group analysis and within group analysis Wilcoxon test used by using SPSS version 22. Results: It was found that balance and functional mobility improved both between and within group results except standing unsupported one foot in front. Conclusion: This research showed that perturbation-based balance training with usual physiotherapy was more effective than only usual physiotherapy for patients with stroke. Keywords: perturbation-based balance training, Usual Physiotherapy, Stroke