Background: Stroke is a significant cause of long-term disability, leading to chronic impairments of balance and gait. However, successful rehabilitation can help stroke survivors improve their mobility and quality of life. This study compares the effects of Dual-Task Training (DTT) and Motor Relearning Program (MRP) on dynamic balance and gait parameters in chronic stroke patients with left hemiplegia.
Methods: A randomized, double-blinded controlled trial was done in a tertiary care hospital from March to August 2023. Through simple randomization, 40 subjects with chronic left hemiplegic stroke were allotted into either the DTT group or the MRP group. Both groups received 45-minute sessions three times weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes measured were the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)—secondary outcomes related to gait parameters, step length, cadence, cycle time, and stride length. Statistical analyses involved paired and independent t-tests, with a set level of significance described as p<0.05.
Results: The statistical improvements in the DTT group show in the gait speed (10MWT) and TUG scores, which are significantly better than in the MRP group (p<0.05). Likewise, the DTT group’s step length, cadence, cycle time, and stride length also improved significantly (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The use of DTT significantly improves the dynamic balance and gait of chronic stroke patients with left hemiplegia compared to MRP. This underscores the effectiveness of DTT as a tool for rehabilitating motor function in stroke patients. Further research should be pursued to optimize its application and evaluate long-term outcomes.
Keywords: Balance, Gait, Impairments, Stroke Rehabilitation.