EFFECT OF A KINESITHERAPY METHOD TARGETING POSTURAL CONTROL ON FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY AND FALL-RISK-RELATED OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ISCHEMIC STROKE
Keywords:
chronic ischemic stroke, postural control, kinesitherapy, balance, gait, fall riskAbstract
Chronic ischemic stroke often causes impairments in postural control, balance, gait, and independent mobility, limiting daily activity and increasing functional fall risk. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a kinesitherapy method targeting postural control on functional mobility and fall-risk-related outcomes in patients with chronic ischemic stroke. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from a three-month controlled follow-up of 46 patients allocated to an experimental group (n = 34) and a control group (n = 12). The experimental group received a 10-day specialized program followed by an adapted home-based program until month 3, while the control group received conventional 10-day kinesitherapy. Assessments were performed at baseline, day 10, month 1, and month 3 using the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Functional Ambulation Category, Timed Up and Go, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Rivermead Mobility Index. Results: The groups were comparable at baseline. At month 3, the experimental group showed significantly better results on the Berg Balance Scale (48.1 ± 5.5 vs 43.0 ± 4.8; p = 0.001), Dynamic Gait Index (21.0 ± 2.3 vs 17.0 ± 2.6; p < 0.001), and Functional Ambulation Category (4.4 ± 0.7 vs 3.5 ± 0.7; p = 0.002). Timed Up and Go, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Rivermead Mobility Index improved in both groups, without significant between-group differences. Conclusion: The method targeting postural control improved balance, dynamic gait stability, and independent ambulation, and may serve as a basis for safer functional mobility in chronic ischemic stroke rehabilitation.
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