The importance of balance and postural control in the recovery of stroke patients

Abstract

Introduction.According to the criteria of WHO, stroke is a health condition that causes focal or global brain disorders (1), but without an apparent nonvascular cause. Stroke is considered the third leading cause of death in industrialized countries and accounts for 9% of all deaths, being considered one of the largest cases of disability in the world. Due to the medical, social and economic consequences that it causes, stroke is considered a public health issue. Purpose of research. The study starts from the idea that in the recovery of stroke patients it is important to have an individualized physiotherapy program adapted to the functional parts of each patient, having the role of improving the static and dynamic balance, of achieving postural control and finally functional independence. Material and method. The study included a number of 22 patients with sequelae stroke. They made physiotherapy, occupational therapy and occupational therapy sessions in the ambulatory, with the length of 1 hour, 3 times a week, in total 15 sessions. The evaluation of the patient was performed in the beginning of the treatment and at the end of it. Scales were used to assess mobility, static and dynamic balance, gait and functional independence. Results. The application of individualized treatment adapted to the functional body of each patient allowed a rapid recovery for the vast majority of the studied patients. The values obtained in the tests and evaluation scales are in accordance with the clinical evolution of the patients. Conclusions.The application of the treatment by kinetic therapy, work therapy and occupational therapy to the 22 patients, for a period of 3 weeks pointed out the reduction of pain, the improvement of movements, the recovery of transfers and gait, the postural improvement.