| Objective: To explore the effectiveness of symmetry weight-bearing sit-to-stand (SitTS) and stand-to-sit (StandTS) training on balance function and ADL in hemiplegic stroke patients. Method: All 48 hemiplegic patients following stroke were randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups (n=24 for each group). All patients were regularly treated with physical training after their vital signs were steady. Patients in the control group were given the conventional SitTS and StandTS training, and those in the experimental group were given the modified SitTS and StandTS training in which the paretic foot was placed posteriorinferiorly. Subjects in both groups received the training 30 min every time, five times a week for four weeks. Balance control and ADL were assessed before and after the training by Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). A force platform for registering the centre of pressure (CoP) was used to measure CoP sway length and CoP sway areas during the static sitting. The time and weight-bearing distribution during SitTS and StandTS tasks was assessed after the training.Results: As compared with pre-training, CoP sway length and CoP sway areas in two groups significantly decreased, and BBS and MBI scores significantly increased, and more significantly in BBS and MBI scores in experimental group than in control group after four-week training. There was significant difference between two groups in time and weight-bearing distribution, and weight-bearing asymmetry (WBasym) during SitTS and StandTS tasks (P<0.05) after the treatment, however, no significant difference in CoP sway length and CoP sway areas during the static sitting between two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Symmetry weight-bearing SitTS and StandTS training improved the balance function and ADL in stroke patients. |
