| Objective: To investigate the effects of Pro-Kin balance training on balance and the risk of fall in stroke patients. Method: All 48 stroke patients were randomized into treatment group (n=24) and control group (n=24). Both groups accepted normal rehabilitation therapies. The treatment group was treated with Pro-Kin balance equipment training additionally, and the control group with routine balance training additionally. The balance ability was assessed with the berg balance scale (BBS) and the Fugl-Meyer balance scale. The walking ability was assessed with the Holden walking ability scale (functional ambulation classification, FAC). The ability of daily living was assessed with the Barthel index (BI) before and after treatment. Meanwhile the BBS was used to evaluate the risk of fall. Results: After 6 weeks of treatment, the scores of BBS, Fugl-Meyer balance scale, FAC, and BI scales were elevated as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and BBS, FAC scores in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The risk of fall in treatment group was far higher than in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Balance training can improve the balance ability in stroke patients, and reduce the risk of fall. The Pro-Kin balance training is more effective. |
