Stroke survivors symmetric weight distribution and dynamic balance following a 12-week task-specific circuit training in addition to standard physiotherapy care

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of adding circuit training (CCT) to standard physiotherapy care (SPC) on percentage weight bearing asymmetry (PWBA) and dynamic balance of chronic stroke survivors. Fifty-eight chronic stroke survivors (38 males and 20 females) were randomised into a control group (n = 27) who had SPC and an experimental group (n = 31) who received CCT in addition to SPC. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Dynamic balance was assessed using Berg's Balance Scale (BBS), while two weighing scales placed 10 cm apart were used to assess the weight distribution on both feet and PWBA was calculated. Significant time effect was found for BBS score (p < 0.001) and PWBA (P=0.030) with large and moderate effect size (0.358 and 0.063) as both groups demonstrated significant changes in BBS score and PWBA from baseline to the end point of study respectively. However, the groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in their effects on any tested outcome. Although, addition of task-specific CCT to SPC as employed in this study did not confer additional clinical benefits regarding the improvement of symmetric weight bearing and dynamic balance of chronic stroke survivors, our data suggest a short and long-term benefit of task-specific CCT for improved BBS and PWBA, respectively.