Comparison of The Effects of Virtual Balance Training and Conservative Rehabilitation Therapy in Stroke Patients

Abant Izzet Baysal University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke; Hemiplegia

Treatments: Device: Virtual Balance Training; Other: Conservative rehabilitation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05552742

AIBU-FTR-SK-04

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aimed to assess the effects of a virtual balance training program using the Thera-Trainer Balo (TTB) device along with conservative rehabilitation program on the clinical findings; standing, stepping, walking and balance measures; and activities of daily living in patients with stroke.

Full description

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Approximately 71% of stroke cases occur as a result of ischemic infarcts. Most survivors of stroke experience gait and balance disorders that increase the risk of falling.

It has been shown that the functional recovery of patients with stroke is adversely affected and length of hospital stay during the rehabilitation program, particularly in those with severe balance disorders.

Virtual reality technologies are currently employed to accelerate functional recovery in patients.

A total of 30 patients were included in the study. The patients were randomized into two groups with 15 patients in each group by simple randomization.

Group 1 received the conservative rehabilitation program, whereas Group 2 received a balance training program using the Thera-Trainer Balo (TTB) device along with the conservative rehabilitation program.

Patient information regarding the age, gender, hemiplegic side, stroke duration, and type of ischemia were recorded. The stage of motor recovery according to Brunnstrom, spasticity based on the modified Ashworth scale, ambulation ability based on the Functional Ambulation Scale (FAS), quality of life based on the Short Form-36 (SF-36) scale, and balance-coordination status based on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were assessed at the beginning of the treatment and at the endpoint of the 8 week treatment. Moreover, evaluations were made with static and dynamic postural stability tests.

The study aimed to assess the effects of a virtual balance training program using the Thera-Trainer Balo (TTB) device along with conservative rehabilitation program on the clinical findings; standing, stepping, walking and balance measures; and activities of daily living in patients with stroke.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• patients who had a cerebrovascular accident at least 6 months before the study,
• patients had the first unilateral hemiparesis attack, could stand with or without assistance,
• patients had no contraindications for walking.

Exclusion criteria

• patients with a history of neurological diseases,
• a mini-mental test score of <24,
• severe spasticity at the lower extremity with grade 4 and unilateral neglect, and musculoskeletal diseases such as amputation and severe arthritis, which limits walking,

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Conservative Rehabilitation

Active Comparator group

Description:

Only conservative rehabilitation treatment was applied to the patients in group 1.

Treatment:

Other: Conservative rehabilitation

Conservative Rehabilitation + Virtual Balance Training

Experimental group

Description:

Conservative rehabilitation treatment and virtual balance study were applied to the patients in group 2.

Treatment:

Other: Conservative rehabilitation

Device: Virtual Balance Training