Regaining Balance and Quality of Life: The Impact of Frenkel's Exercises in Patients With Sub-Acute Ischemic Stroke-A Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 50
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This single-blinded, randomized controlled was aimed to compare the efficacy of Frenkel's and Conventional Balance Exercises in improving balance and quality of life in patients with subacute ischemic stroke. The participants of Group A received 'Frenkel's Exercises'. In contrast, Group B participants received 'Conventional Balance Exercise' interventions three days/week for 30-60 minutes for four weeks. The data was collected pre and post-treatment on the Berg Balance Scale and Stroke Specific-Quality of Life.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 35 Years to 75 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Patients aged between 35 to 75 years.
- •First-ever ischemic stroke and hemiparesis within 7 to 30 days of onset.
- •Reduced proprioception of the lower limb with a score of ≤12 on the NSA (kinesthetic and tactile sensation test),
- •Able to comprehend tasks and follow directions with a score of ≥21 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
- •Able to independently perform standing motions for ≥1 minute.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Patients with lower limb fractures within 6 months.
- •Severe pain.
- •Limited range of motion.
- •Cerebellar ataxia.
- •Medically unstable.
Arms & Interventions
Group A: Frenkel's Exercise
Frenkel's exercises spanned four weeks with distinct positions:
Week 1: Recumbent position, focusing on heel sliding, knee, and hip movements. Week 2: Seated exercises, emphasizing leg elevation and standing from a chair. Week 3: Erect posture activities, including forward, sideways, and backward walking with diverse steps and turns.
Week 4: Comprehensive exercises across all positions, emphasizing varied movements.
Each exercise set included 8-10 repetitions with 1-2 minutes of rest.
Intervention: Stroke Rehabilitation (Other)
Group B: Conventional Balance Exercises
Structured program with 8-10 reps and 1-2 min rest:
I. Strengthening: Targets hips, knees, and ankles-squats, lunges, leg presses. II. Weight-Shifting: Enhances balance with side-to-side, forward-backward steps.
III. Trunk Stabilization: Improves core control-planks, crunches, twists. IV. Proprioception: Balance board exercises challenge spatial awareness, performed under physiotherapist supervision.
Intervention: Stroke Rehabilitation (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale
Time Frame: After 4-weeks
The scale measures the quality of life of participants. There are 49 items on the 5-point scale, with the lowest score being 49 and the highest being 245. The higher the quality of life, the lower the score. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.80 was reported as the test's reliability.
Berg Balance Scale
Time Frame: After 4-weeks
It has 14 items on a 5-point scale (0-4) and a total score of 56. It has a very high reliability rating, with an ICC of 0.98. Participants who receive scores of 0 to 20 use wheelchairs, those who receive scores of 21 to 40 need aid or assistance, and those who receive scores of 41 or higher have independent gait.
Berg Balance Scale
Time Frame: Baseline
The scale assesses dynamic balance skills with 14 items on a 5-point scale (0-4) and a total score of 56. It has a very high-reliability rating, with an ICC of 0.98. Participants who receive scores of 0 to 20 use wheelchairs, those who receive scores of 21 to 40 need aid or assistance, and those who receive scores of 41 or higher have independent gait.
Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale
Time Frame: Baseline
The scale measures the quality of life of participants. There are 49 items on the 5-point scale, with the lowest score being 49 and the highest being 245. The higher the quality of life, the lower the score. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.80 was reported as the test's reliability.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Muhammad Faisal
Mr. Muhammad Faisal
Al- Shifa Physiotherapy Institute /Clinic