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Published on: March 19, 2020
Optimal Reactive Balance Training Characteristics Poststroke: Secondary Analysis of a Clinical Trial
Júlia O Faria1,2,3, Cynthia J Danells2,3, Elizabeth L Inness2,3
1School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
Greater exposure to reactive balance training (RBT) improved balance control in stroke survivors. More perturbations experienced during RBT sessions correlated with better reactive balance, suggesting training volume is key for stroke rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Biomechanics
- Motor Control
Background:
- Reactive balance training (RBT) shows potential for improving balance and reducing falls after stroke.
- Optimal RBT parameters like intensity and duration remain undetermined.
- Understanding dose-response relationships is crucial for effective stroke rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dose-response relationship between RBT characteristics and outcomes in chronic stroke survivors.
- To identify specific training parameters that enhance reactive balance control and reduce fall rates.
- To inform the refinement of RBT protocols for post-stroke recovery.
Main Methods:
- A secondary analysis of 30 chronic stroke participants undergoing up to 12 RBT sessions.
- Training involved balance loss perturbations during voluntary tasks of varying difficulty.
- Statistical models (multiple linear and negative binomial regression) assessed associations between training variables and outcomes.
Main Results:
- A higher number of perturbations was significantly linked to improved reactive balance scores (mini-BESTest).
- No significant associations were found between other training characteristics (difficulty, challenge, success rate) and balance outcomes.
- No training characteristic significantly predicted fall incidence rates.
Conclusions:
- Increased exposure to RBT, measured by the number of perturbations, is associated with enhanced reactive balance control in chronic stroke.
- Training volume appears to be a critical factor in RBT effectiveness for stroke survivors.
- These findings support optimizing RBT protocols by maximizing perturbation exposure.
