Body awareness therapy in persons with stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of body awareness therapy on balance, mobility, balance confidence, and subjective health status in persons with stroke.

DESIGN: A pilot randomized controlled study with follow-up at one and 4-6 weeks after the intervention period.

SETTING: Four primary healthcare centres in Örebro County Council.

SUBJECTS: Persons more than six months post stroke, with walking ability of 100 metres.

INTERVENTION: The experimental intervention was body awareness therapy in groups once a week for eight weeks. The controls were instructed to continue their usual daily activities.

MAIN MEASURES: Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, Timed Up and Go Test with a cognitive component, 6-minute walk test, and Timed-Stands Test. Self-rated balance confidence was assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and subjective health status using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire.

RESULTS: A total of 46 participants were included (mean age 64 years); 24 in the experimental intervention group and 22 in the control group. No significant differences in changed scores over time were found between the groups. Within the experimental intervention group, significant improvements over time was found for the tests Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go cognitive, and 6-minute walk test. Within the control group, significant improvements over time were found for the Timed Up and Go Cognitive, and the Timed-Stands Test.

CONCLUSION: In comparison to no intervention, no effects were seen on balance, mobility, balance confidence, and subjective health status after eight weeks of body awareness therapy.