Effectiveness of Task-Oriented Balance Training Delivered Through Tele-Rehabilitation Versus Conventional Clinical Task-Oriented Balance Training in Stroke Patients: an Interventional Study

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, commonly resulting in impaired balance, reduced mobility, and diminished functional independence. Task-oriented balance training is a well-established neurorehabilitation approach, and tele-rehabilitation has emerged as a promising alternative for delivering physiotherapy services. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of task-oriented balance training delivered through a tele-rehabilitation programmed versus conventional clinical task-oriented balance training in stroke patients.

An interventional study was conducted on 52 stroke patients selected through convenience sampling. Participants were allocated into two groups of 26 each. Group A received task-oriented balance training in a clinical setting for two weeks, followed by home-based tele-rehabilitation for three weeks. Group B received conventional clinical task-oriented balance training for the full five weeks. Both groups trained for 45 minutes per session, five days per week. Outcome measures — the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) — were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores following the intervention (p<0.001). The mean BBS improvement was 15.31 in Group A and 14.54 in Group B, with comparable reductions in TUG and 10MWT scores. Between-group comparison revealed no statistically significant difference in improvement across all outcome measures (p>0.05).

Tele-rehabilitation-based task-oriented balance training is as effective as conventional clinical training in improving balance and functional mobility in stroke patients. Tele-rehabilitation may serve as a viable and accessible alternative, particularly for patients in remote or underserved settings.