Efficacy of Sensory Reweighting Techniques for Balance and Risk of Fall in Chronic Ischemic Stroke Patients

NCT07404371 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: UOL/IREB/25/15/03/30
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of sensory reweighting techniques on balance and risk of falls in individuals with chronic ischemic stroke. A total of 46 participants will be recruited using purposive sampling and randomly assigned into two groups through the sealed envelope method. Balance and fall risk will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go test at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Participants in the experimental group will receive sensory reweighting-based balance training three times per week for eight weeks, incorporating altered sensory conditions such as reduced visual input, unstable surfaces, and vestibular challenges. The control group will receive conventional balance training of similar duration and intensity without sensory manipulation. Both groups will also receive standard physiotherapy throughout the intervention period. Ethical approval will be obtained prior to data collection, written informed consent will be secured from all participants, and confidentiality and voluntary participation will be ensured.

Conditions

Chronic Ischemic Stroke

Keywords

Sensory Reweighting; Balance Training; Fall Risk

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Balance Performance

  Balance will be measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), a validated clinical tool consisting of 14 functional tasks assessing postural control, stability, and fall risk in chronic ischemic stroke patients. Each task is scored from 0 (unable to perform) to 4 (independent and safe), with a maximum total score of 56. Higher scores indicate better balance, and scores below 45 suggest increased risk of falls. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after completion of the 8-week intervention to evaluate the efficacy of sensory reweighting balance training compared to conventional balance exercises.

  Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Risk of Falls

  Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

Study Arms (2)

group A Sensory Reweighting Balance Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive sensory reweighting-based balance training aimed at enhancing integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs for postural control. The intervention will be delivered three times per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Training will include balance tasks performed under altered sensory conditions such as reduced visual input, compliant surfaces, head movements, and dual-task activities. Exercise difficulty will be progressively increased according to individual tolerance while ensuring participant safety.

Behavioral: Sensory Reweighting Balance Training

group B Conventional Balance Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will receive conventional balance training without sensory reweighting components. The program will be delivered three times per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Exercises will focus on static and dynamic balance tasks, including standing with a narrow base, sit-to-stand practice, and forward/backward walking. No manipulation of sensory input will be included. Training intensity and duration will be matched to the experimental group to allow fair comparison of outcomes.

Behavioral: Conventional Balance Training

Interventions

Sensory Reweighting Balance Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive sensory reweighting-based balance training aimed at improving postural control by enhancing the central nervous system's ability to integrate visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs. Training will be conducted three times per week for eight weeks, with 45-minute sessions including warm-up, core balance exercises, and cool-down. Exercises will be performed under altered sensory conditions, such as standing on foam surfaces, performing tasks with eyes closed, head movements during stance and gait, and dual-task activities. Task difficulty will be progressively increased based on individual tolerance while maintaining safety.

group A Sensory Reweighting Balance Training Group

Conventional Balance Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive conventional balance training without sensory reweighting components. The program will be delivered three times per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Exercises will focus on static and dynamic balance tasks such as standing with a narrow base, sit-to-stand practice, and forward/backward walking. No manipulation of sensory input will be included. Training intensity and duration will be matched to the experimental group to ensure comparability of outcomes.

group B Conventional Balance Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed case of chronic ischemic stroke (duration \>6 months post-stroke)
• Both male and female patients with age range 40-60 years .
• Able to stand and walk at least 10 feet (with or without assistive devices).
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24 (to ensure adequate cognitive ability to follow instructions).
• Medically stable and cleared by a physician to participate in balance training.
• Experiencing balance impairment and/or history of at least one fall in the past 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• Hemorrhagic stroke patients or mixed stroke types
• Severe visual, auditory, or vestibular impairments not correctable by aids (which would interfere with sensory reweighting assessment).
• Other neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy).
• Musculoskeletal disorders significantly affecting balance (e.g., recent fracture, severe arthritis).
• On medications that severely affect balance or cause dizziness (e.g., sedatives, high-dose antiepileptic.
• Severe aphasia or communication disorders impeding participation in the intervention

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Montiha Azeem: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Kanwal Mirani, MSPTN

  The University of Lahore, Lahore

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kanwal Mirani, MSPTN

CONTACT

0312-3474874; kanwalmiranikanwalmirani33@gmail.com

Montiha Azeem, MSPTN

CONTACT

03479717317; muntahaazeem9@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 4, 2026
• First Posted: February 11, 2026
• Study Start: February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 15, 2026
• Study Completion: April 18, 2026
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

PA (1)