Citation

Liu TW, Ng GYF, Chung RCK, Ng SSM. Stroke 2018; ePub(ePub): STROKEAHA118022406.

Affiliation

From the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region) (T.-W.L., G.Y.F.N., R.C.K.C., S.S.M.N.).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Heart Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.022406

PMID

30580723

Abstract

Background and Purpose- Research has shown that balance training is effective for reducing the fear of falling in individuals with a history of stroke. In this study, we evaluated (1) whether cognitive behavior therapy could augment the beneficial effects of task-oriented balance training (TOBT) in reducing the fear of falling in chronic stroke survivors and (2) whether it could, in turn, reduce fear-avoidance behavior and improve related health outcomes.

METHODS- Eighty-nine cognitively intact subjects with mildly impaired balance ability were randomized into the following 2 groups that underwent 90-minutes interventions 2 days per week for 8 weeks: (1) cognitive behavior therapy + TOBT or (2) general health education + TOBT (control). The primary outcome was the fear of falling, and the secondary outcomes were fear-avoidance behavior, balance, fall risk, independent daily living, community integration, and health-related quality of life. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, and 3 and 12 months after completing the intervention.

RESULTS- Eighty-two subjects completed the intervention and follow-up assessments. From postintervention to 12 months after completing the intervention, the cognitive behavior therapy + TOBT participants reported greater reduction in the fear of falling and fear-avoidance behavior and greater improvements in balance and independent daily living than the general health education + TOBT participants.

CONCLUSIONS- Cognitive behavior therapy should be considered as an adjuvant therapy to standard physiotherapy for cognitively intact individuals with a history of stroke. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02937532.

Language: en

Keywords

avoidance learning; cognitive therapy; fear; quality of life; stroke