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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
51
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
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.
Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospiatl
Sialkot, Punjab Province, Pakistan
RECRUITINGFall Risk Assessment Scale
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.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Fall Efficacy Scale International
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).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Berg Balance Scale
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.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Timed Up and Go test
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
Time frame: 8 weeks
Functional Reach Test
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.
Time frame: 8 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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.