| Objective: To determine the effectiveness of conventional assisted sit-to-stand (STS) training in sub-acute stroke patients. Methods: Forty-four hemiplegic patients with stroke in sub-acute stage who were unable to independently stand up from a standard chair without using hands were randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups (n=22 for each group). All patients were regularly treated with physical training. Patients in the control group were given the conventional assisted STS training, and those in the experimental group were given the assisted STS training in which the paretic foot was placed posteriorly. All subjects received the STS training for 30 min each day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, with a physiotherapy assistant. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess the the balance function. The AL-080 Balance Assessment System was used to assess the sitting balance parameters ［The center of pressure sway length (SLsi) during the quiet sitting and the center of pressure sways areas (SAsi) in the dynamic sitting］, STS parameters ［The time, average load difference between left and right (ALD) and peak vertical ground reaction forces (Fmax)］ and the standing balance parameters ［The center of pressure sway length (SLst) during the quiet standing and the center of pressure sways areas (SAst) in the dynamic standing］. Results: After two-week training, SLsi was obviously decreased (P<0.01), and SAsi and BBS were obviously increased in two groups (P<0.01), more significantly in the experimenal group than in the control group (P<0.05). After the training, the time required for sit-to-stand movement, the loading of the paretic foot and ALD were decreased significantly, the loading of the non-paretic foot Fmax and SAst was significantly increased in the experimental group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no significanl difference in SLst between two groups. Conclusion: The early STS training can promote the recovery of the balance function in sub-acute stroke patients better, more effective in the STS with the paretic foot posterior. |
