Faisal Ali, Mirza Obaid Baig.
Effects of Ankle Stability Exercises on Balance in Stroke patients.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;59(1):28-31.

Background: Stroke is one of the most common cause of disability in adults. Impaired gait and balance is a common manifestation after having a stroke attack. Different treatment approaches exist for stroke rehabilitation. Strengthening and stability trainings have proven to improve the overall functioning and balance in stroke patients. Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of ankle stability exercises on the balance in stroke patients. Methodology: It was a clinical trial that was conducted in Yusra General Hospital, Islamabad. The duration of this study was 6 months and the sample size was 36. Patients of both genders with age between 40-60 years, having Stroke duration between 6 weeks to 6 months were recruited on the basis of following inclusion criteria; Modified Ashworth scale of lower extremity <= 2, Modified Rankin scale 2 and 3, a mini-mental state examination- score of 24 or higher, mild to moderate risk of fall on Berg Balance Scale. Patients having vestibular compromise, visual or auditory disorders, or any other neurological disorder i.e. Parkinson`s, Alzheimer`s etc. were excluded from the study. The tools used in the study were Berg Balance Scale, Time Up and Go Test, 2 Minute Walk Test, Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool, and Stroke Specific Quality of Life. Results: There was noticeable improvement in mean values of all the tools after 6 weeks of intervention in both control and experimental group. Mean values of Berg Balance Scale, Time Up and Go Test, 2 Minute Walk Test, and CAIT were improved more in experimental group as compared to control group after 6 weeks of treatment and there was significant difference of BBS at 6th week as p <0.05 Conclusion: It is concluded that ankle stability exercises improved balance and functional mobility better than conventional stroke therapy alone. These exercises are associated with improvement of scores in Berg Balance Scale and 2 Minute Walk Test.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com