a Water Training Program to Improve Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients
Information source: Soroka University Medical Center
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Chronic Stroke Patients
Intervention: water based training program to improve balance (Other)
Phase: N/A
Status: Completed
Sponsored by: Soroka University Medical Center Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s): Dagan Shvartz, M.D., Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Ben-gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Summary
The proposed project is a case control study design. Subject's suffer from stroke willing to
participate in the study will be shortly interviewed to assess eligibility according to the
inclusion-exclusion criteria. Subjects suffer from chronic hemiplegia that upon questioning
was judged to meet the following inclusion criteria: (a) able to stand independently 90
seconds; (b) able to walk 10 meters (with cane if necessary); (c) able to understand verbal
instructions. The exclusion criteria will be: (a) Serious visual impairment; (b) Inability
to ambulate independently (cane acceptable, walker not). (c) Severely impaired cognitive
status (score less then 24 in Mini Mental State Examination). (d) Persons with impaired
communication capabilities.
The whole project will be conducted over a period of 3 months. A total of 36 subjects will
be assigned to water based exercise program. The exercise group will meet on 24 occasions
over a period of 12 weeks (2 times/week). The subjects of the exercise group will be
recruited from Sha'ar Ha'negev Swimming pool and from patients that get a Physical Therapy
treatment Kupat Holim Clalit.
Gait and balance function will be tested in both groups with well established measuring
techniques before and after the training period. The measuring techniques 1) Medical
background variables. 2) Berg Balance Scale. 3) Late life Function and Disability
Instrument. 4) Get up and go test - stand up and walk 3 meters turn around and walk back to
the chair. 5) step execution test under single and dual task; 5) stability tests. 6) also
fall will be monitored a year after the completion of the study. The water training
intervention is performed on different levels where each level reflects different increasing
demands on the postural control system. For example, the instructor can increase the
difficulty of a certain water-exercise by instructing a participant to use less external
support, close the eyes, decrease the support area (stand on one leg or narrow the stance,
or on unstable surface). These "tools" allow the instructor to implement step exercises on a
group level that are still challenging for each individual even if the skill level in the
group varies. The water exercises also include perturbation exercises that trigger specific
reflex-like balance responses. On each level the instructor can instantly modify an exercise
to be more or less challenging for each participant.
Clinical Details
Official title: a Water Training Program to Improve Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients: Cross- Sectional Pre-Post Study Design
Study design: Observational Model: Cohort, Time Perspective: Prospective
Secondary outcome: Berg Balance ScaleLate life Function and Disability Instrument Get up and go test - stand up and walk 3 meters turn around and walk back to the chair Step execution test under single and dual task Stability tests
Eligibility
Minimum age: 65 Years.
Maximum age: 80 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Subjects suffer from chronic hemiplegia (a year or more)
2. able to stand independently 90 seconds;
3. able to walk 10 meters (with cane if necessary);
4. able to understand verbal instructions.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Serious visual impairment;
2. Inability to ambulate independently (cane acceptable, walker not).
3. Severely impaired cognitive status (score less then 24 in Mini Mental State
Examination).
4. Persons with impaired communication capabilities.
Locations and Contacts
SorokaUMC, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Additional Information
Starting date: November 2007
Last updated: December 15, 2008
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