Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Abdul Rahim Shaik, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences (CAMS), Majmaah University, PO Box 66, Al-Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 16404 2972; Mobile: +966 534504703; E-mail: s.abdulrahim@mu.edu.sa.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The risk of falling for individuals with stroke is about twice that of healthy older adults. Lack of appropriate initiative to address the fear-related maladaptive behaviour can manifest itself in the form of loss of physical functions resulting in disability and handicap. OBJECTIVE:To examine the effectiveness of the structured balance awareness program (SBAP) in improving the perceived balance confidence, and thereby modifying the fear-related maladaptive behaviour in post-stroke survivors. METHODS:A randomized experimental control design was used on a sample of 97 post-stroke survivors aged between 55 to 75 years. The patients received either the SBAP or health awareness program (HAP) for eight weeks and were compared on Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Falls Efficacy Scale International (FESI). RESULTS:A paired t-test demonstrated statistically significant improvement among all the variables in the SBAP group. An independent t-test exhibited a statistically significant improvement on ABC (t = 2.57, p = 0.012*), BBS (t = 3.32, p = 0.001*) and FESI (t = 3.38, p = 0.001*) in the SBAP group. CONCLUSION:The study showed that the SBAP was effective in minimizing the fear-related maladaptive behaviour in post-stroke survivors.
