| Objective: To investigate effects of enriched balance training on balance function in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Forty stroke patients with hemiplegia with balance dysfunction were enrolled. They were divided into a normal balance training group and an enriched balance training group (n=20 each). The normal balance training group only received conventional balance treatment. On the basis of conventional balance treatment, the patients in enriched balance training group received the task orientation program for balance training in enriched environment by using virtual reality technology. Berg balance scale (BBS) score, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and the test of the standing balance in eye-opened condition by using the balance assessment equipment were used to evaluate the patients of both groups before and 4 weeks after treatment. Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in various indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, all the indicators including BBS scores were significantly increased, and the sway length, area in eye-opened condition and TUGT were significantly reduced in both groups as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The improving degrees of BBS scores, the sway length in eye-opened condition, the area in eye-opened condition and TUGT in the enriched balance training group were all better than those in the normal balance training group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Enriched balance training could obviously improve the balance function in stroke patients with hemiplegia. |
