Effects of task-oriented training on gait, balance and fear of falling after stroke: a case-study

• Autor(a) principal: Refacho, André
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Santos, Joana, Magalhães, Maria, Lourenço, Teresa, Fernandes, Beatriz
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.25758/set.2228
• topic: AVC; Funcionalidade; Controlo postural; Quedas; Marcha; Equilíbrio; Stroke; Functionality; Postural control; Fall; Gait; Balance

Introduction – Stroke is closely related to the increase of fall occurrence as well as the fear of falling, also a predisposing factor for falls. Changes in balance and gait, present even in more chronic phases, increase the risk of falls in this population. Objective – The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of task-oriented training on gait, balance, and fear of falling in a patient in the chronic phase after stroke. Methods – This study followed a case study methodology with a first assessment followed by seven weeks of task-oriented training and a second assessment at the end of the intervention. The tests used were the Falls-Efficacy Scale (FES-I), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Barthel Index (BI), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and the 4-meter Gait Speed Test (4MGS). Results – Clinical improvements in FES-I, BBS, BI, TUG, and 4MGS were observed.  Discussion/Conclusion – In 14 sessions of the task-oriented training program, improvements clinically significant in balance, gait, and fear of falling were observed in a patient in the chronic phase after stroke. Improvements in balance and gait functionality were accompanied by increased confidence in performing activities of daily living.