%0 Journal Article
%T Evaluation of a four month rehabilitation program for stroke patients with balance problems and binocular visual dysfunction
%J NeuroRehabilitation
%D 2016
%A Schow, Trine
%A Harris, Paul
%A Teasdale, Thomas William
%A Rasmussen, Morten Arendt
%V 38
%N 4
%P 331-341
%X 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>
%G en
%I IOS Press
%@ 1053-8135
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/NRE-161324