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Effect of a high intensity strengthening program on reactive balance in patients with stroke (Bachelor thesis)

Παλιουργιώτη, Δήμητρα/ Paliourgiwti, Dimitra

Stroke patients experience neuromuscular control deficits, leading to impaired balance control and an increased risk of falls. Research as shown that exercise can positively affect balance control. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a strengthening intervention program in post stroke patients,perfomed twice a week at moderate to high intensity according to the Borg scale,using Pilates equipment. Five participants were recruited, with a mean age of 58.8 ± 8.77 years and a mean body weight of 86 ± 22.12 kg, all with a history of stroke and accompanying hemiplegia, without other musculoskeletal limitations . To assess reactive balance,an external pertubation protocol was applied , using a load equivalent to 5% of body weight. The load was attached via a cable to the participant’s waist and pulled from behind ,released at an unpredictable time by an electromagnet to induce a sudden balance disturbance. Data collection was perfomed using a Vicon motion analysis systyem , recording participants kinematic responses to calculate the extrapolated center of mass and based on the minimum Margin of Stability (MoS) immediately after load release,calculated from the extrapolated center of mass and base support. Results showed an increase in the anterior MoS (by 23.19%) after the intervention , indicating improved reactive balance. Conversely, a slight dicrease in MoS was observed in the paretic and nonparetic lateral directions (-1.55% and -4.54%, respectively) However,none of these changes were statistically significant (p>0.05) These findings suggest that the invercention program may contribute to improving anteririon posterior reactive balance in post stroke patients