Effect of tetraataxiometric posturography programs (TETRAX) on stroke patients with impaired standing balance

Abstract

ABSTRACT Patients are suffering from stroke experience balance dysfunction leading to poor weight shifts and reduced weight bearing on the affected lower limb. The Tetrax biofeedback system is a Centre of Pressure-controlled, video game-based exercise system designed for patients with balance dysfunction. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of using Tetrax balance games and conventional rehabilitation on the balance and mobility of subjects with impaired standing balance due to stroke. Design: Pretest-posttest Randomized Clinical Trial Method: A total of thirty patients (including male and female) who have suffered a stroke at least six months back, diagnosed with hemiplegia within the age group of 35-65 years with MMSE Score = 24 were recruited. Six subjects did not give their consent. Subjects were assigned to Group 1 (test group) and Group 2 (control group), using Convenience sampling. Group 1 (test group) consisted of 12 subjects (both male and female) and received conventional therapy and tetrax sessions. Group 2 (control group) consisted of 12 subjects (both male and female) and received only conventional therapy. All participants received conventional outpatient rehabilitation therapy (which accounted for an average of 60 minutes of physiotherapy for the control group and 40 minutes for the test group per day) three days a week in an outpatient setting. The test group received additional Tetrax biofeedback balance training three days per week (20 minutes per day) for four weeks in the same outpatient setting. The Tetrax system was equipped with four independent force plates under the toes and heels. The outcome measures of the study were BBs and FIMS. All outcome measures were evaluated pretest and posttest. Result: The means standard deviations of Improvement in BBS in test and control groups are 3.83 4.64 and 1.25 1.28, respectively. On applying the t-Test, we found the mean difference of 0.077 of Improvement in BBS in the test and control group is not significant. The means standard deviations of Improvement in FIMS in test and control groups are 2.83 2.24 and 1.75 1.21, respectively. On applying the t-Test, we found the mean difference of 0.156 of Improvement in FIMS in the test and control group is not significant. Conclusion: The current study found that both groups—those receiving only conventional therapy and those receiving a combination of tetrax and conventional therapy—improved their balance significantly, although there was no significant difference between them. Keywords: Stroke, Tetrax, Balance, Weight shift in lower limbs, Postural Balance.