The Effects of Balance Training Using Balance System in the Hemiplegic Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the balance training effects of balance system in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHOD: The study consisted of 14 male and 6 female hemiplegic patients, aged 48 to 70 years, time postattack ranged from 6 to 17 months. Balance training was done by conventional method (control group) and using balance system (Chattanooga Group, Inc., training group) and the effect were evaluated by balance system. RESULTS: Body sway index and moving target accuracy rate were not significantly different between training group and control group before training, but were significantly different after training. Training group showed significantly decreased sway index and increased moving target accuracy rate at four weeks after training compared to the status before training. CONCLUSION: The hemiplegic patients trained by balance system showed significantly improved static and dynamic postural balance control. Therefore, the balance system is considered to be a valuable training modalitiy for the hemiplegic patients.