[Interest of visual biofeedback training in rehabilitation of balance after stroke].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was the assessment of visual biofeedback in the management of balance disorders after stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a prospective randomised trial, which compares visual biofeedback training and traditional balance training. Twenty-seven patients took part in this study: 13 in the first group and 14 in the second group. The rehabilitation program in the first group consists in an association of visual biofeedback and traditional training during 3 weeks. For the second group traditional training was used alone. Clinical, functional and forceplate assessments were performed before and after the program of rehabilitation. RESULTS All the patients had a clinical and functional improvement. However, patients who have benefited from biofeedback training had a significant improvement of the forceplate parameters with closed eyes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Those results confirm the interest of rehabilitation in balance disorders after stroke. The use of biofeedback training incorporated into functional physiotherapy affords added benefits probably by a best integration of proprioceptive informations.

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