Biofeedback-enhanced task training to improve balance after chronic ischemic stroke
Effect Of Task-Specific Training With And Without Biofeedback On Balance And Risk Of Falls In Chronic Ischemic Stroke Patients Of Central Lahore, Pakistan, A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will test whether adding virtual-reality biofeedback to task-specific training helps people with chronic ischemic stroke improve balance and lower their risk of falls compared with task-specific training alone or standard physical therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Lincoln University College Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07125157 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will assign 66 chronic ischemic stroke patients in Lahore to three groups: task-specific training with virtual-reality biofeedback, task-specific training without biofeedback, or conventional physical therapy. Each group receives 36 one-hour sessions over 12 weeks delivered by qualified physiotherapists at the Department of Neurological and Functional Rehabilitation, Shadman Medical Center. Outcomes include balance (Berg Balance Scale), mobility/fall risk (Timed Up and Go), and functional independence (Barthel Index) measured at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Assessors and data analysts are blinded and the analysis will use repeated measures ANOVA with effect sizes reported.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 40 or older with chronic ischemic stroke (≥3 months), who can walk 10 m (with or without an assistive device) and have normal-enough cognition (MMSE ≥20).
Not a fit: Patients with severe uncontrolled medical conditions, other neurological disorders, significant cognitive impairment, or who cannot ambulate 10 m are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding biofeedback could improve balance, reduce falls, and increase independence for people living with chronic ischemic stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of biofeedback and task-specific training in stroke rehab have shown promising but mixed results, so this approach has supportive but not definitive evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Chronic ischemic stroke patients (more than 3 months after stroke) Both Male and Female Patients Patients of 40 or above years of age Patients with Burnstorm stage 3 or above.) Patients with good cognitive function (score of 20 or more on MMSE) Patients who can ambulate 10 m (with or without the assistive device) Exclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing concurrent therapy or treatment that could influence the effectiveness of this study will be excluded from participation Patients presenting with contraindications to rehabilitation, such as severe uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, or unstable angina, will be excluded from the study. Individuals with prior neurological impairments apart from stroke.
Where this trial is running
Lahore, Punjab Province
- Shadman Medical Center — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Syed Ali Behram Subazwari, Phd physiotherapy — Lincoln University College Malaysia
- Study coordinator: Syed Ali Behram Subazwari, Phd physiotherapy
- Email: subazwari@lincoln.edu.my
- Phone: +92 315 8482631
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.