Task-oriented training and lower limb strengthening to improve balance and function after stroke: A pilot study
Sammanfattning
This study investigated the effects of task-oriented training and strengthening of the affected lower limb on balance and
function in people who have suffered a stroke. Sixteen male adults, with a mean age of 58 (SD 6.3) years, undergoing
outpatient physiotherapy less than 1 month after a single stroke in the territory of the middle cerebral artery were recruited.
Participants were allocated to one of two groups: the strengthening group (SG) or control group (CG). The main measures
used were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Barthel Index (BI) and Modifi ed Ashworth Scale (MAS). After 12 weeks of
intervention, both groups showed improvements in outcome measures. For BBS, there was a signifi cant difference between
groups, with an increase of 26 points in the SG and 11 points in the CG. For BI, the SG improved by 39 points and the
CG improved by 22 points. After intervention, the difference between groups was not signifi cant. For MAS, differences
were not signifi cant, showing that for both groups intervention programmes did not increase spasticity. In conclusion,
physiotherapy intervention for postural control dysfunctions after stroke seems to benefi t from strength training of the
affected lower limb and the practising functional tasks. A large randomized controlled trial is recommended to further
investigate the effects of this intervention.