@article{ref1,
title="Evaluation of a four month rehabilitation program for stroke patients with balance problems and binocular visual dysfunction",
journal="NeuroRehabilitation",
year="2016",
author="Schow, Trine and Harris, Paul and Teasdale, Thomas William and Rasmussen, Morten Arendt",
volume="38",
number="4",
pages="331-341",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Balance problems and binocular visual dysfunction (BVD) are common problems after stroke, however evidence of an effective rehabilitation method are limited. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a four-month rehabilitation program for individuals with balance problems and BVD after a stroke. <br><br>METHODS: About 40 sessions of 1.5 hours duration over four months with visual therapy and balance rehabilitation, was provided to all 29 participants, aged 18-67 years, in groups of 7-8 individuals. Several measures for BVD, balance, gait, Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQoL) and functional recovery were used at baseline, at the end of training and at a six-month follow up (FU). <br><br>RESULTS: We found significant improvements in stereopsis, vergence, saccadic movements, burden of binocular visual symptoms, balance and gait speed, fatigue, HRQoL and functional recovery. Moreover, 60% of the participants were in employment at the six-month FU, compared to only 23% before training. All improvements were sustained at the six-month FU. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Although a control group is lacking, the evidence suggests that the positive improvement is a result of the combined visual and balance training. The combination of balance and visual training appears to facilitate changes at a multimodal level affecting several functions important in daily life.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1053-8135",
doi="10.3233/NRE-161324",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/NRE-161324"
}