Effect of reformer-based hip abductor exercises on strength, balance, gait speed, step length, and fall efficacy in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized control trial

Stroke patients often experience impaired balance and gait due to hip abductor weakness. Although Reformer exercises are recognized to enhance muscular strength and functional outcomes, their effects on specific muscle groups in stroke rehabilitation remain insufficiently investigated.

This study examined the effects of Reformer-based hip abductor strengthening exercises on muscle strength, balance, spatiotemporal gait parameters, and fall efficacy in patients with chronic stroke.

This study utilized a single-blinded randomized controlled trial design. The participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (Reformer-based hip abductor exercises, n = 12) or a control group (mat-based hip abductor exercises, n = 12). The intervention consisted of 15-minute sessions conducted five times per week for four weeks. Muscle strength, balance, spatiotemporal gait parameters, and fall efficacy were assessed before and after the intervention using mixed-design ANOVA.

Significant group × time interactions were observed for muscle strength, total center of pressure sway distance, timed up and go test, gait speed, step length (unaffected side), and fall efficacy scale (p < 0.05). Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in all variables (p < 0.05), except for step length on the affected side.

Reformer-based hip abductor strengthening exercises effectively improved muscle strength, balance, gait speed, step length on unaffected side, and fall efficacy in patients with chronic stroke, highlighting their potential benefits in stroke rehabilitation.