Effect of lower limb sensory training on postural stability in stroke patients: A randomized control trial

Background: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke) incidence
is rapidly increasing and is considered to be one of the leading causes
of death and physical impairment on a global level. These
impairments aren’t limited to motor weakness but can also include
impairments in somatosensory functions essential for producing
accurate and specific motor actions. Aim of the study: To determine
the efficacy of lower limb sensory training on postural stability in
stroke patients. Procedures: Thirty male ambulant patients with
ischemic stroke in the distribution of anterior circulation with a
modified Ashworth scale not exceeding 1+. The ages of the
participants were between 50-65 years. They were recruited three to
six months from the onset of their symptoms. Then, they were
assigned randomly into two equal groups, study group (A) and control
group (B). The patients in the study group (A) have been given a
combination of a sensory-based intervention program for the affected
lower limb and a carefully selected physical therapy program. Control
group (B) patients were treated with the same selected physical
therapy program. The treatment was executed three sessions per week for six weeks. Each session was done in a 90 minutes window.
Postural stability was evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
and the Biodex balance system indices (mediolateral stability index
[MLSI]), anteroposterior stability index [APSI], and overall stability
index [OASI]) in both eyes-open and eyes-closed circumstances before
and after interventions. Results: A significant drop was noted in the
indices of the Biodex balance system with eyes opened and eyes
closed of both group A and group B post-treatment contrasted with
pretreatment (P > 0.001) and there was a significant improvement in
the BBS Index post-treatment in the group A and B contrasted with
that pretreatment (P < 0.001). Between groups, there was a significant
improvement in all measures of the study group (A) contrasted with
the control group (B). Conclusion: Sensory-based interventions may
be an effective intervention to improve postural stability in subacute
stroke patients.