Effectiveness of balance training using the balance pro (SBT-330) device in patients with reduced balance ability following a stroke: Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background and purpose

Reduced muscle strength can affect trunk muscles on one side of the body and may occur after a stroke. Most trunk stabilization exercises for patients post-stroke are carried out seated, which may not be suitable for patients who cannot sit independently. This study investigated the therapeutic benefits of a cutting-edge balance training device, SBT-330, which can be used in the standing position for patients with compromised balance following a stroke.

Methods

A total of 33 patients with stroke were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. The experimental group (n = 19) underwent 30 min of training using the SBT-330 device in conjunction with standard physical therapy, whereas the control group (n = 14) received an additional 30 min of conventional physical therapy. The evaluation metrics included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, Korean Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremities (FMA-LE), and Korean Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS).

Results

Following the 4-week intervention, significant improvements were observed in all variables except TUG in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, substantial differences were noted in K-MBI, BBS, and FAC between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

SBT-330 effectively enhanced both walking and balance capabilities in patients with stroke with impaired balance, suggesting its potential as a valuable complement to conventional physical therapy for neurorehabilitation.