title: Tongue-based biofeedback for balance in stroke: results of an 8-week pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess balance recovery and quality of life after tongue-placed electrotactile biofeedback training in patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective multicenter research design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient rehabilitation clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (N=29) with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were administered 1 week of therapy plus 7 weeks of home exercise using a novel tongue based biofeedback balance device.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) were performed before and after the intervention on all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistically and clinically significant improvements from baseline to posttest in results for the BBS, DGI, TUG, ABC Scale, and some SIS domains (Mobility, Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Social, Physical, Recovery domains). Average BBS score increased from 35.9 to 41.6 (P<.001), and DGI score, from 11.1 to 13.7 (P<.001). Time to complete the TUG decreased from 24.7 to 20.7 seconds (P=.002). Including the BBS, DGI, TUG, and ABC Scale, 27 subjects improved beyond the minimal detectable change with 95% certainty (MDC-95) or minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in at least 1 outcome and 3 subjects improved beyond the MDC-95 or MCID in all outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrotactile biofeedback seems to be a promising integrative method to balance training. A future randomized controlled study is needed.
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA. mbadke5@aol.com
authors: Mary Beth
authors: MB
authors: Badke
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Sherman
authors: Pierce
authors: P
authors: Boyne
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Page
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Dunning
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014059:Tongue