OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of an extended stroke unit service with early supported discharge on balance and walking speed, and to explore the association between initial leg paresis, initial movement ability and balance one year after stroke. DESIGN A randomized controlled trial comparing early supported discharge with ordinary stroke unit service. PATIENTS A total of 62 eligible pati...

PURPOSE The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to measure the effectiveness of A Matter of Balance, a small-group based balance program, on muscle strength, gait, balance, and fall risk among older community-dwelling adults at risk for falls. A secondary aim was to measure the effects of the program on actual fall rates over the 3-month study. METHODS Twenty-three older adults we...

AIM The study aims to trace the influence of specialized kinesitherapeutic methodology (SKTM) on balance reactions in patients with ischemic stroke in the chronic period (ISChP). MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective, multicenter study with 56 patients with ISChP. Evaluation of balance reactions using Berg Balance Scale - BBS, includes implementation of 14 tasks with increasing difficulty reflec...

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of stationary cycling exercise on the balance and gait abilities of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects] Thirty-two chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=16) or a control group (n=16). [Methods] All of the subjects received the standard rehabilitation program for 30 minutes, while the experi...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Balance impairment is common after stroke; modified yoga may be able to improve balance and other important poststroke variables. Scientific-evidence is needed to support such treatment interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a yoga-based rehabilitation intervention on balance, balance self-efficacy, fear of falling (FoF), and quality of life ...

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to perform forward bending of the trunk and reaching training in chronic stroke patients and to investigate subsequent changes in trunk control, dynamic balance, and gait. [Subject] Twenty-three chronic stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 10 patients in the forward bending of the trunk and reaching group and 13 patients in the co...

OBJECTIVE To investigate accidental falls and near fall incidents in people with multiple sclerosis with respect to clinical variables and the predictive values of four tests. DESIGN A longitudinal, multi-centred cohort study with prospectively collected falls. PROCEDURES Self-reported incidents during the three months following a standardized test procedure. SUBJECTS Seventy-six people w...

OBJECTIVES First, to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR)-based telerehabilitation program in the balance recovery of individuals with hemiparesis after stroke in comparison with an in-clinic program; second, to compare the subjective experiences; and third, to contrast the costs of both programs. DESIGN Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING Neurorehab...

BACKGROUND Extensive research on both healthy subjects and patients with central nervous damage has elucidated a crucial role of postural adjustment reactions and central sensory integration processes in generating and "shaping" locomotor function, respectively. Whether robotic-assisted gait devices might improve these functions in Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is not fully investigated in l...