Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability and commonly results in impaired balance, reduced trunk control, and difficulty in functional mobility. Chronic stroke patients often experience limitations in daily activities due to poor postural stability and decreased motor coordination. Various rehabilitation approaches are used to improve balance and mobility, among which Swiss ball exercises and kinesthetic training are considered beneficial interventions.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of Swiss ball exercises versus kinesthetic training in improving balance and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke. A total of 36 participants diagnosed with chronic stroke for more than six months will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive Swiss ball exercises focusing on trunk stability, coordination, and balance control, while Group B will receive kinesthetic training aimed at improving proprioception, sensory feedback, and motor control.
The intervention program will continue for 8 weeks under the supervision of qualified physiotherapists in the Physiotherapy Department of Shalimar Health Centre. Balance and functional mobility will be assessed before and after the intervention using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
This study aims to determine which intervention is more effective in enhancing balance and mobility in chronic stroke patients and may help improve rehabilitation strategies for stroke recovery.
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Swiss Ball Exercise Training
BehavioralParticipants assigned to this intervention will perform a progressive Swiss ball exercise program aimed at improving trunk stability, postural control, balance, coordination, and functional mobility in chronic stroke patients. The intervention includes sitting balance activities, pelvic tilts, bridging exercises, dynamic reaching tasks, weight-shifting activities, wall squats, and gait-related exercises using a Swiss ball. Exercises will be supervised by qualified physiotherapists and performed over an 8-week treatment period with gradual progression in difficulty.
Kinesthetic Training
BehavioralParticipants assigned to this intervention will receive kinesthetic training focused on improving proprioception, sensory feedback, postural stability, motor control, and functional mobility. The program includes static and dynamic balance activities, weight-shifting exercises, tandem standing, gait training, obstacle navigation, dual-task activities, and proprioceptive exercises performed under physiotherapist supervision. The intervention will be conducted progressively over 8 weeks according to participant performance and tolerance.
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) will be used to assess static and dynamic balance in chronic stroke patients. It consists of 14 functional tasks such as sitting, standing, turning, and reaching activities. Each item is scored from 0 to 4, with a maximum total score of 56. Higher scores indicate better balance and lower risk of falls. The BBS is a reliable and validated tool widely used in stroke rehabilitation to evaluate postural control and functional balance.
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Nisha Fazal
Lead sponsor
University of Lahore
Sponsor institution
