Effects of Oculomotor and Gaze Stability Exercises on Balance after Stroke: Clinical Trial Protocol

Pimenta, C; Correia, A; Alves, M; Virella, D

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.17/3144

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Background: The inability to maintain balance after stroke is an important risk factor for falling and relatesto decreased potential for recovery. The vestibular system and gaze stability contribute respectively topostural stability and to maintain balance. Rehabilitation may be more effective with domiciliary training.Objective: This trial aims to verify if balance impairment after stroke improves with a domiciliary oculo-motor and gaze stability training program.Methods: Individuals older than 60 years, discharged after suffering brain stroke with referral to thephysiotherapy department, will be assessed for orthostatic balance. Patients with stroke diagnosis 3–15months before recruitment, positive Romberg test and able to walk 3 m alone are invited to participate inthis randomized controlled trial. Participants will be allocated in two intervention groups through blockrandomization, either the current rehabilitation program or to a supplemental intervention focused onoculomotor and gaze stability exercises to be applied at home twice a day for three weeks. Primaryoutcome measures are the Motor Assessment Scale, Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go Test. Trialregistration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02280980).Results: A minimum difference of four seconds in the TUG and a minimum difference of four points inBBS will be considered positive outcomes.Conclusions: Oculomotor and gaze stability exercises may be a promising complement to conventionalphysiotherapy intervention after brain stroke, improving the balance impairment.