Effects of dynamic postural balance training on balance function of hemiplegic stroke patients

Objective:To study the effects of a dynamic postural balance equipment on training balance function of patients with hemiplegia. Method: Twenty hemiplegic stroke patients were recruited into the study and then randomly divided into the control group (n=10) and the training group (n=10). Conventional balance training was used in the control group; while visual feedback balance training with Smart-EquiTest System was employed in the training group. Both groups were trained 5d per week, for 2 weeks. Quantitative balance functions were evaluated using the sensory organization test(SOT) with Smart-EquiTest System, the Berg balance scale(BBS) and timed up go test(TUGT) before training as well as 2 weeks after completing the training program. Result:Both groups revealed improvements in SOT, BBS and TUGT after 2-week training, and patients in the training group gained more improvements compared with the control group(P0.05);In the training group, the scoring of the equilibrium index and exercise strategy in eye closed, sway referenced support(ECSS) and Sway-referenced vision(SVSS) of SOT improved significantly after training, with P0.05 separately. On the other hand, no obvious difference was found in the equilibrium index in eye open(EO), eye closed(EC), sway-referenced vision(SV) and eye open, sway referenced support(EOSS) of SOT between the training group and the control group. Conclusion:Visual feedback balance training with Smart-EquiTest System is significantly more effective than conventional training to improve balance function of hemiplegic stroke patients.