title: Rehabilitation of balance after stroke with multisensorial training: a single-blind randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare 2 rehabilitation strategies to improve balance after stroke: (1) a multisensorial approach based on higher intensity of balance tasks and exercise during visual deprivation and (2) a conventional neurodevelopmentaltheory-based treatment (NDT) that used a general approach for sensorimotor rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group study measured outcomes with blinded assessors. Sixty-eight patients able to walk without human assistance were entered from 3 to 15 months (mean, 7 months) after a first hemispheric stroke. They received 20 sessions in 4 weeks of NDT or multisensorial rehabilitation. On day 0, day 30, and day 90, assessment included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), posturography, gait (velocity, double stance phase, climbing 10 steps, amount of walking per day), the Functional Independence Measure, and the Nottingham Health Profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All subjects improved significantly in balance and walking parameters. Regarding the main dependent variable (BBS on day 30), no difference between groups was found. Analysis of secondary outcomes suggested small differences in favor of the experimental group, but the differences are not likely to be clinically relevant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No evidence was found for the superiority of a multisensorial rehabilitation program in ambulatory patients with impairments beyond the time of inpatient therapy. Additional studies are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, G.H. Lariboisière-F. Widal, Paris, France. alain.yelnik@lrb.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Alain P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Yelnik
authors.forename: Frederique
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Le Breton
authors.forename: Florence M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Colle
authors.forename: Isabelle V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Bonan
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hugeron
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Egal
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lebomin
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Regnaux
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pérennou
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicaut
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*