Multi-Sensorimotor Training Improves Proprioception and Balance in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Physical Therapy
• Stroke Recovery

Background:

• Stroke survivors often experience impaired proprioception and balance, hindering motor function recovery.
• Conventional rehabilitation, including treadmill training, aims to address these deficits.
• Advanced sensorimotor training may offer superior benefits for subacute stroke patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of multi-sensorimotor training versus conventional treadmill training.
• To evaluate improvements in proprioception variation and balance ability in subacute stroke patients.
• To determine if advanced rehabilitation is superior to usual care.

Main Methods:

• Thirty subacute stroke patients were randomized into two groups: multi-sensorimotor training (n=19) or treadmill training (n=18).
• Both groups received 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy, followed by 30 minutes of their assigned intervention, 5 days/week for 8 weeks.
• Proprioception was measured using an electrogoniometer, and balance was assessed with the Biodex Balance system.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed significant improvements in proprioception and balance (P < 0.05).
• The multi-sensorimotor training group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in proprioception variation (P = 0.002) and anterior-posterior balance (P = 0.033).
• No significant differences were observed for medial-lateral balance between groups.

Conclusions:

• Multi-sensorimotor training positively impacts proprioception in the paretic lower limb and anterior-posterior balance in subacute stroke patients.
• This advanced rehabilitation approach appears more effective than standard treadmill training for specific functional outcomes.
• Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.