Effects of a 12-month task-specific balance training on the balance status of stroke survivors with and without cognitive impairments in Selected Hospitals in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

Advances in balance training to prevent falls in stroke patients: a scoping review

Objective

To summarize the status and characteristics of the available evidence, research gaps, and future research priorities for preventing falls in stroke patients through balance training.

Methods

We used a scoping review framework. A systematic search of PUBMED, Embase, and Cochrane databases for main articles was conducted. Our study only included articles that on balance training and fall-related indicators in stroke patients. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of demographic, clinical characteristics, intervention, sample, and outcome indicators were extracted. The characteristics and limitations of the included literature were comprehensively analyzed.

Results

Of the 1,058 studies, 31 were included. The methods of balance training include regular balance training, Tai Chi, Yoga, task balance training, visual balance training, multisensory training, aquatic balance training, perturbation-based balance training, cognitive balance training, system-based balance training, and robot-assisted balance training. The commonly used outcome measures include clinical balance test, such as Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG), Fall Risk Index assessment (FRI), Fall Efficacy Scale score (FES), and instrumented balance tests.

Conclusion

This scoping review summarizes the existing primary research on preventing falls in stroke patients by balance training. Based on the summary of the existing evidence, the characteristics of balance training and their relation to falls in stroke patients were found. The future researches should explore how to develop personalized training program, the sound combination of various balance training, to more effectively prevent falls.

Knowledge and perception of clinical physiotherapy students about physiotherapy management of stroke survivors with visual impairment

It is evident from clinical practice that visual disorders are prevalent in stroke medicine and are involved in all stages. The visual disorder may form all or part of the initial presentation, and subsequently, visual problems may be a rehabilitation issue or affect the quality of life and activities of daily living (ADLs) after stroke. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and perception of the clinical students of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, about stroke survivors with visual impairment (SSVI) and the physiotherapy management of stroke survivors who are visually impaired. This study was a cross-sectional survey involving 136 respondents who were selected from the 270 clinical students of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. A 25-item questionnaire was administered to assess their level of knowledge and perception of SSVI as well as the physiotherapy management methods involved. Descriptive statistics of tables, mean, and standard deviation were used to summarize participants’ responses. The Spearman rank-order correlation was used to test for correlations. Mann–Whitney U test was used to assess sex differences. Alpha was set at .05. There was a high level of knowledge and high perception (94.1% and 91.9%) of physiotherapy management of SSVI among the clinical physiotherapy students. The level of the study did not significantly influence the knowledge ( p = .386) and perception ( p = .686) of the visually impaired stroke survivor. There was a significant ( p = .008) relationship between age and knowledge of stroke survivors. No significant gender difference was observed in all results. The student’s age and gender did not influence their knowledge or perception of physiotherapy management for SSVI, the student’s level of study did influence the two variables.

The Burden and Quality of life of Caregivers of Stroke Survivors with Cognitive Impairment in Selected Healthcare Facilities in Anambra State, Nigeria

Objective:

To determine the burden and quality of life of caregivers of stroke survivors with cognitive impairment in selected healthcare facilities in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional survey using the World Health Organization QOL-BREF and Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) as instruments. Descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage counts, mean and standard deviation were used to summarize the socio-demographics. Spearman’s ranked order correlation; Mann–Whitney U test assessed the correlation and gender and age difference in QoL and caregiver’s burden. Alpha level was set at 0.05.

Results:

Physical health domain of QOL was slightly moderate (53.29 ± 15.19), psychological health was low (46.33 ± 16.96), social relationship was slightly moderate (51.16 ± 0.31), environmental health was slightly moderate (51.22 ± 15.88), the burden of caregivers was high (6.35 ± 1.29).

Conclusion:

The quality of life of the caregivers of stroke survivors with cognitive impairment was moderate, and the caregivers’ stress was high in the sample of the population studied.