Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07063368

Effects of Otago Exercises and Systematic Desensitization on Balance,Fall Risk and Basophobia Among Post Stroke Patients

The aim of the study is to determine the combined effects of Otago exercises and systematic desensitization on balance, fall risk, and basophobia among post-stroke older adults.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Nervous System Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

40 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospiatl

Sialkot, Punjab Province, 05134, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Hira Jabeen, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923234116506

Hira Jabeen, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Sana Muzammil, MSNMPT

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

Stroke survivors often face challenges such as impaired balance, heightened fall risk, and basophobia (fear of falling), which significantly impact their daily lives and rehabilitation outcomes. Stroke patients have a two-fold higher risk of falling than other patients of the same age or gender.In particular, 30% to 50% of the elderly those over 65 years old, experience falls every year. The Otago Exercise Program, recognized for its efficacy in improving balance and reducing falls among older adults, and systematic desensitization, a psychological intervention aimed at reducing fear and anxiety related to falling, offer complementary approaches to address these challenges. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of Otago exercises and systematic desensitization on balance, fall risk, and basophobia among post-stroke older adults.

This randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot over six months. The sample size will consist of 51 participants. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be taken through a non-probability convenience sampling technique, which will further be randomized through flip coin method. 17 Participants will be assigned to group A (otago exercise, systematic desensitization and routine physical therapy, 17 participants to group B( Otago Exercises and Routine Physical therapy ) and 17 participants were included in group C ( Systematic desensitization and Routine physical therapy only ).

Data will be collected using various assessment tools, including the Berg Balance Scale to assess balance , Timed up and go test for dynamic balance, Functional Reach Test for static balance, Fall Risk assessment scale to assess risk of fall, Fall Efficacy Scale International for risk of fall, and Fear of fall avoidance behavior questionnaire for basophobia. Pre-intervention assessments will be conducted for all three groups. The effects of the interventions will be measured at pre-treatment, 4th week, and post-intervention. Data analysis will be performed by using SPSS 26 software.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Both male and female patients
  • 40 to 70 Years of age
  • sub-acute ischemic stroke
  • Ability to walk with or without a caregiver
  • No cognitive dysfunction that would hinder understanding of the instructions
  • MoCA score between 18-24

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients previous participation in studies similar to the present study.
  • Participants who have other medical conditions such as severe arthritis or joint injuries.
  • Participants who have a history of significant neurological or psychiatric disorders
  • Participants who have severe visual or hearing impairments
  • Participants who are currently participating in another clinical trial or research study

Treatment and study plan

Otago exercises and systematic desensitization with routine physical therapy

Other

Warm-up (5 minutes) Marching in place (assisted), arm swings, side steps Otago Balance Exercises (7 minutes) Knee bends (with support), heel-to-toe stand (with support), side hip abduction (with support) Otago Strength Exercises (8 minutes) Ankle dorsiflexion, seated knee extensions, seated marching Routine Physical Therapy - Strength and Mobility Exercises (15 minutes) Assisted squats or sit-to-stand exercises, standing calf raises (with support), seated bicep curls, seated shoulder press Routine Physical Therapy - Flexibility and Stretching (5 minutes) Hamstring, quadriceps, shoulder, and neck stretches Relaxation Training (7 minutes) Review goals, PMR, deep breathing exercises Gradual Exposure and Visualization (10 minutes) Visualization of safe environments, standing up, walking on flat surfaces, and mildly fear-inducing situations (with assistance) Discussion and Feedback (3 minutes) Share experiences, provide feedback, assign homework

Otago Exercises and Routine physical Therapy

Other

Warm-up (10 minutes) Marching in place, arm swings, and side steps. Otago Balance Exercises (10 minutes) Knee bends, heel-to-toe stand, side hip abduction. Otago Strength Exercises (10 minutes) Ankle dorsiflexion, seated knee extensions, seated marching. Routine Physical Therapy - Strength and Mobility Exercises (20 minutes) Assisted squats or sit-to-stand exercises, standing calf raises with support, seated bicep curls, seated shoulder press.

Routine Physical Therapy - Flexibility and Stretching (10 minutes) Hamstring stretch, quadriceps stretch, shoulder and neck stretches, seated torso twist.

Systematic desensitization and routine physical therapy

Other

Warm-up (5 minutes) Marching in place, arm swings, and side steps. Routine Physical Therapy - Strength and Mobility Exercises (20 minutes) Assisted squats or sit-to-stand exercises, standing calf raises with support, seated bicep curls, seated shoulder press.

Routine Physical Therapy - Flexibility and Stretching (5 minutes) Hamstring stretch, quadriceps stretch, shoulder and neck stretches. Relaxation Training (10 minutes) Review goals and expectations, PMR, deep breathing exercises. Gradual Exposure and Visualization (15 minutes) Visualization of safe environments, standing up, walking on flat surfaces, and mildly fear-inducing situations (with assistance).

Discussion and Feedback (5 minutes) Share experiences, provide feedback, and assign homework.

Primary outcomes

  1. Fall Risk Assessment Scale

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    It is a 4-item falls-risk screening tool for sub-acute and residential care. The FRAT has three sections: Part 1 - Fall Risks, Part 2 -Risk factor checklist, Part 3 :Action Plan. A score of 0 to 5 indicates a low risk of falling, a score of 6 to 20 a medium risk, and a score 21 to 45 a high risk.

  2. Fall Efficacy Scale International

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) is a measure of fear of falling. It is a 16 item questionnaire, useful to the researchers and clinicians interested in fear of falling, with a score ranging from minimum 16 (no concern about falling) to maximum 64 (severe concern about falling).

  3. Berg Balance Scale

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a clinical tool used to assess balance and risk of falling. It consists of 14 simple tasks, such as standing, sitting, and reaching, each scored on a scale of 0 to 4. The total score helps determine the level of balance impairment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Timed Up and Go test

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple and quick assessment used to evaluate a person's mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk. It involves timing an individual as they stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down. A time of 12 seconds or more typically indicates a higher risk of falling

  2. Functional Reach Test

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    It is a quick, single-task, dynamic test that is used to predicting falls in older adults. This test measures the margin of stability along with the ability to measure balance during a functional task.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sana Muzammil, MS-NMPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923327143610

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Combined Effects of Otago Exercises and Systematic Desensitization on Balance,Fall Risk and Basophobia Among Post Stroke Older Adults

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 14, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 14, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.