Effect of 6 weeks wobble board exercises on static and dynamic balance of stroke survivors

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Onigbinde, Ayodele Teslim^{; *} | Awotidebe, Taofeek | Awosika, Henry

Affiliations: Medical Rehabilitation Department, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence. E-mail: ayotesonigbinde@yahoo.co.uk.

Abstract: Balance is a complex motor skill and it is frequently disturbed among stroke survivors. Rehabilitation experts are still facing challenges in achieving good stability. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of a wobble board exercise program on static and dynamic balance of hemiplegic subjects. Seventeen (17) stroke survivors were randomly selected into two groups. The subjects in the experimental group were trained on wobble board for six weeks while the control group received only the baseline treatment programs. The modified version of the timed balance test was used to assess balance while the foursquare step test was used to assess dynamic balance. Descriptive statistics and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data obtained. The result showed that there was significant difference in the static balance (eye closed) (F=7.49, P< 0.05) and dynamic balance (F3.20, P< 0.05) between the groups but there was no significant difference in static balance (eye opened) (F= 1.75, P> 0.05). The study concluded that wobble board exercise improved both static (eye closed) and dynamic balance of stroke survivor used in this study.

Keywords: Stroke, static, dynamic, balance

DOI: 10.3233/THC-2009-0559

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 17, no. 5-6, pp. 387-392, 2009