Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a predefined mini-trampoline therapy
programme for increasing postural control, mobility and the ability to perform
activities of daily living after stroke. DESIGN:
Randomized non-blinded
controlled pilot study. SETTING: Neurological rehabilitation hospital. SUBJECTS:
First-time stroke; age 18-80 years; independent standing ability for a minimum of
2 minutes. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized into two groups: the
mini-trampoline group (n = 20) received 10 sessions of balance training using the
mini-trampoline over three weeks. The patients of the control group (n =20)
participated 10 times in a group balance training also over three weeks. MAIN
MEASURES: Postural control (Berg Balance Scale, BBS), mobility and gait endurance
(timed 'up and go' test, TUG; 6-minute walk test, 6MWT) and the ability to
perform activities of daily living (Barthel Index, BI). Measurements were
undertaken prior to and after the intervention period. RESULTS: Both groups were
comparable before the study. The mini-trampoline group improved significantly
more in the BBS (P = 0.003) compared to the control group. Mean or median
differences of both groups showed improvements in the TUG 10.12 seconds/7.23
seconds, the 6MWT 135 m/75 m and the BI 20 points/13 points for the
mini-trampoline and control group, respectively. These outcome measurements did
not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A predefined
mini-trampoline training programme resulted in significantly increased postural
control in stroke patients compared to balance training in a group. Although not
statistically significant, the mini-trampoline training group showed increased
improvement in mobility and activities of daily living. These differences could
have been statistically significant if we had investigated more patients (i.e. a
total sample of 84 patients for the TUG, 98 patients for the 6MWT, and 186
patients for the BI).

Langue : ANGLAIS