Feasibility and Effects of Newly Developed Balance Control Trainer for Mobility and Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effects of balance training with a newly developed Balance Control Trainer (BCT) that applied the concept of vertical movement for the improvements of mobility and balance in chronic stroke patients.MethodForty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group (n=20) underwent training with a BCT for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks, in addition to concurrent conventional physical therapy. The control group (n=20) underwent only conventional therapy for 4 weeks. All participants were assessed by: the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), 10-meter Walking Test (10mWT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Korean Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Manual Muscle Test (MMT) before training, and at 2 and 4 weeks of training.ResultsThere were statistically significant improvements in all parameters except knee extensor power at 2 weeks of treatment, and in all parameters except MBI which showed further statistically significant progress in the experimental group over the next two weeks (p<0.05). Statistically significant improvements on all measurements were observed in the experimental group after 4 weeks total. Comparing the two groups at 2 and 4 weeks of training respectively, 10mWT, TUG, and BBS showed statistically more significant improvements in the experimental group (p<0.05).ConclusionBalance training with a newly developed BCT is feasible and may be an effective tool to improve balance and gait in ambulatory chronic stroke patients. Furthermore, it may provide additional benefits when used in conjunction with conventional therapies.

The effect of aquatic and treadmill exercise in individuals with chronic stroke

“…These results support our first hypothesis that "treadmill gait training and deep-water gait training will lead to similar functional adaptations". In fact, other studies have shown that gait training in the rehabilitation pool or treadmill improves BBS after training 25,26 . Our first hypothesis was associated to the aerobic training effect and the importance of improving overall fitness state as a tool to improve function.…”

Balance Assessment in Subacute Stroke Patients Using the Balance Control Trainer (BalPro)

“…With its unique movement training system, the BCT achieves greater improvements in balance and mobility in stroke patients [ 21 ]. Although other computerized dynamic posturography measures only the horizontal body weight distribution, the BalPro training system includes not only horizontal movement, but also vertical movement.…”

“…A previous study on balance control training using the balance control trainer (BCT) shows a remarkable training effect on improving balance disability [ 21 ]. Furthermore, the training effect was measured using several outcome measurements.…”

Effects of Balance Control Training on Functional Outcomes in Subacute Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

“…Therefore, our research team developed a new lower limb balance control trainer (BalPro; Man&Tel, Gumi, Korea) that is capable of providing vertical movement as well as horizontal movement and task-oriented lower limb exercise. Lee et al [ 10 ] showed that the balance control trainer, the previous version of the BalPro, was beneficial when used for chronic stroke patients who were somewhat able to stand and walk but had balance problems. They reported that balance and gait ability were improved after using the balance control trainer.…”