Proprioceptive Exercises in Hemiplegia Improve Balance and Spatiotemporal Parameters

Abstract Objective It was planned to investigate the effects of proprioceptive exercises applied to patients with hemiplegia on muscle tone, balance, perception, posture, mobility, and spatiotemporal parameters. Materials and Methods 70 participants with hemiplegia were randomized to an experimental group (conventional stroke rehabilitation program+proprioceptive exercise, 30 sessions) and a control group (conventional stroke rehabilitation program, 30 sessions). Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Posture Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), Spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, maximum plantar pressure, total weight transfer, step cycle duration, swing phase, step length and foot angle), and Berg Balance Scale (BERG) were applied on all participants before and after treatment. Results When the intra-group values were compared before and after the treatment, TUG, PASS, MMSE, RMI and BERG values increased significantly. MAS upper extremity and MAS lower extremity values decreased significantly. (p<0.01). In the comparison between the groups, one of the spatiotemporal parameters, cadence, total weight transfer, and maximum plantar pressure values, increased significantly after the treatment. Step cycle duration, swing phase, step length and foot angle values decreased significantly after the treatment. (p<0.01) Conclusion Unlike the literature, proprioceptive exercises that we add to the conventional rehabilitation program can be used to improve muscle tone, balance, perception, postural control, mobility, and spatiotemporal parameters.