title: A dual-task home-based rehabilitation programme for improving balance control in patients with acquired brain injury: a single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of a dual-task home-based rehabilitation programme on balance impairments among adult patients with acquired brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single rehabilitation centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen participants between 12 and 18 months post-acquired brain injury with balance impairments and a score <10 seconds on the One-Leg Stance Test (eyes open).
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants received 50-minutes individualised traditional physiotherapy sessions three times a week for seven weeks. In addition, the intervention group (N = 8) performed an individualised dual-task home-based programme six days a week for seven weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was the Balance Evaluation System Test; secondary measures were the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and Goal Attainment Scaling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the pilot study, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in Balance Evaluation System Test scores (17.87, SD 6.05) vs. the control group (5.5, SD 3.53; P = 0.008, r = 0.63). There was no significant difference in improvement in Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale scores between the intervention group (25.25, SD 25.51) and the control group (7.00, SD 14.73; P = 0.11, r = 0.63). There was no significant improvement in Goal Attainment Scaling scores in the intervention (19.37, SD 9.03) vs. the control group (16.28, SD 6.58; P = 0.093, r = 0.63).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study shows the safety, feasibility and short-term benefit of a dual-task home-based rehabilitation programme to improve balance control in patients with acquired brain injury. A sample size of 26 participants is required for a definitive study.
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, SS. Trinità Hospital ASL CN1, Italy.
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peirone
authors.forename: Paolo Filiberto
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Goria
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anselmino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Physiotherapy; brain injury; dual-task interference; exercise programme; patient-centred care