title: Rehabilitation of postural stability in ataxic/hemiplegic patients after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assesses the postural stability and the effect of balance training using a force platform visual biofeedback among outpatients with postural disturbances following stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tilting multiaxial force platform was used to assess bilateral postural stability in 38 outpatients (mean age 69.50  +/- 8.57 years) with hemiplegia and/or ataxia after stroke. Stability indexes were obtained. Afterwards, a subgroup of 12 patients with the poorest overall stability index (OASI) started a balance training programme in the force platform. Postural control training consisted of a 30-min training session once a week for a 15-week period. The test was then repeated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 38 outpatients sample, the mean OASI was 4.7  +/-  2.0 and 42.1% of the patients used their hands for support. In the 12 outpatients group, the initial OASI was 5.8  +/-  2.3 and half of the patients used their hands for support. The final OASI was 3.3  +/-  1.0 (p  =  0.005) and only two of the patients used their hands for support (p  =  0.046).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that a training programme using force platform visual biofeedback improves objective measures of bilateral postural stability in patients with hemiplegia and/or ataxia after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal. fajanuario@gmail.com
authors.forename: Filipa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Januário
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amaral
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome