The Study Of The Effect Of Intensive Balance Training On Walking Function In Chronic Post-stroke Patients

ObjectiveRecent study demonstrated that balance is significant related to walking in chronic post-stroke patients but no evidence showed the effect of intensive balance training on walking function in chronic post-stroke patients.This study aims to explore the impact of balance training on walking speed and endurance in hospitalized chronic post-stroke patients.Methods43(24 male)chronic post-stroke patients were randomly assigned to the intensity balance training group(22 participants)and control group(21 participants).The control group received two sessions of traditional exercise a day.The intensity balance training group received one session of traditional exercise and one session of intensity balance training.Each session lasted for 40min,5days/week.Berg balance scale(BBS),six-minute walk test(6MWT)and ten-meter walk test(10MWT)were used to measure the balance performance and walking function in the mid-term(2-week)and the end(4-week)of intervention.ResultsThe scores of BBS,6MWT and 10MWT were significantly higher after intervention(P<0.05)but only BBS and six-minute walk test showed significant interaction effect(P<0.05).Post-hoc comparison demonstrated that the score of BBS and 6MWT in the training group was significantly higher than those of the control group.ConclusionThe intensity of balance training can improve the walking endurance in chronic post-stroke patients.Additional intensity balance training could be considered in the chronic stage after stroke to enhance the walking.