Objective: Study evaluates movement selectivity improvement in hemiparetic post-stroke patients after balance training.
Methods: Study included 26 patients and 15 healthy subjects (control group C). Patients were divided into two groups with 20-day balance training (A) and without (B). Normal standing weight distribution was expressed in percentages, center of feet pressure (COP) sway velocities were evaluated in anterior-posterior and medio-lateral (Y, X) directions for normal standing with eyes open and closed (EO, EC) and for tandem. Brunnström scale assessed movement selectivity.
Results: Weight distribution dissymmetry (Δ10%) was found. It was reduced (Δ2%) after training in group A. COP were higher for X direction (±6mm/s vs ±12mm/s) in normal standing. Difference (±12mm/s) was found for Y in tandem. Brunnström score increased in group A from 0.3 to 0.6. It was negatively correlated with average COP for EO and EC in Y and X and for tandem in X.
Conclusion: Training reduces weight-bearing dissymmetry and improves movement selectivity.
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