Distal Versus Proximal Balance Training in Chronic Stroke

For the test, volunteers were asked to lift one foot without touching the support leg, look steadily across, and maintain their balance for 30 seconds. The time they focused on the paretic limb for hemiparetic individuals and the time they focused on the dominant limbs for healthy individuals were recorded.

The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess functional balance. The scale consists of 14 items assessing balance during functional tasks. Each item is scored from 0 to 4, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate better balance performance.

The TechnoBody balance platform was used to assess postural balance. The system measures center-of-pressure displacement over time. Parameters including anteroposterior and mediolateral displacement, sway area, oscillation velocity, and total displacement distance were evaluated.

The Functional Reach Test (FRT) was used to assess dynamic balance. Functional reach distance was measured in centimeters. Distances of ≥25 cm indicate good balance, 16-24 cm indicate moderate impairment, and ≤15 cm indicate a high risk of instability.

The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) was used to assess trunk control in participants with stroke. The total score ranges from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating better trunk control.

The 5-Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test (SST) was used to assess functional lower-extremity performance. Participants were instructed to stand up from and sit down on a chair five times as quickly as possible. The time required to complete five repetitions was recorded in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better functional performance.

Patients photography with apple telephone and, Pictures of subjects were taken in three standing positions. Two raters independently digitized the static standing posture image twice. The app calculated posture variables, including sagittal and coronal plane translations and angulations.

The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) was used to assess functional mobility and balance. Participants were instructed to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down. The test was repeated three times, and performance time was measured with a stopwatch and recorded in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better functional mobility.

The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used to assess functional independence in activities of daily living. It consists of 18 items, including 13 motor and 5 cognitive items. Each item is scored from 1 to 7, resulting in a total score ranging from 18 to 126. Higher scores indicate greater functional independence.