Frenkel Exercises on Balance and Quality of Life Post Burns

NCT07566442 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 12519939987
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Seventy patients of both sexes with thermal burn injuries, aged 25 to 45 years, will participate in this study. The participants will be randomly selected from the Outpatient Clinic of the Faculty of Physical Therapy. They will be randomly assigned into two equal groups, 35 patients each (study group and control group). Group A (Study Group): Patients in this group will receive Frenkel exercises in addition to a traditional physiotherapy program comprising stretching, strengthening exercises and scar management, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. While, Group B (Control Group): Patients in this group will receive traditional physiotherapy program, 3 times a week for 8 weeks.

Conditions

Burns; Lower Limb Burn Injury

Keywords

Balance; Frenkel exercises; Quality of life; Burn; Functional mobility

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

  Balance was evaluated using the 14-item BBS. This assessment required 10 to 20 minutes for completion and measured the ability of the participant to maintain balance for set periods, both in static positions and during various functional activities. The total score can range from 0 to 56. The BBS assesses both static and dynamic balance components

  8 weeks

• The Short Form 36 (SF-36)

  it was used to assess quality of life. It is a widely used, validated questionnaire consisting of 36 items that evaluate eight domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. Scores for each domain are transformed to a scale ranging from 0 (worst health status) to 100 (best health status), with higher scores indicating better perceived health. The eight domains can be further summarized into two main components: the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary

  8 week

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Timed up and go test

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

frenkel exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

The program was conducted three times per week for eight weeks, with 30-minute sessions performed under visual guidance using slow, controlled, and repetitive movements to enhance coordination and balance. Exercises progressed from supine (hip, knee, and coordination tasks) to sitting (controlled leg movements and functional transitions), and then to standing activities focusing on static balance (weight shifting, narrow base, tandem stance). Finally, dynamic balance and gait training were introduced, including forward, sideways, and backward walking.

Other: frenkel exercises; Other: traditional physical therapy programme

Traditional physiotherapy program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a supervised traditional physiotherapy program three times per week for eight weeks. Each 45-minute session included stretching exercises for the calf and hamstring muscles, followed by range of motion (ROM) and progressive strengthening exercises for the lower limbs using free weights. Training intensity progressed from 50%-60% of 3RM in the first week to 80%-85% by weeks 7-8, with three sets of ten repetitions per exercise. Scar management included 15-20 minutes of deep friction massage, along with skin mobilization techniques. Additionally, customized pressure garments (25-40 mmHg) were used throughout the day, except during hygiene and exercise sessions, with silicone materials applied in areas requiring additional pressure

Other: traditional physical therapy programme

Interventions

frenkel exercises OTHER

The program was conducted three times per week for eight weeks, with 30-minute sessions performed under visual guidance using slow, controlled, and repetitive movements to enhance coordination and balance. Exercises progressed from supine (hip, knee, and coordination tasks) to sitting (controlled leg movements and functional transitions), and then to standing activities focusing on static balance (weight shifting, narrow base, tandem stance). Finally, dynamic balance and gait training were introduced, including forward, sideways, and backward walking.

frenkel exercises

traditional physical therapy programme OTHER

Participants received a supervised traditional physiotherapy program three times per week for eight weeks. Each 45-minute session included stretching exercises for the calf and hamstring muscles, followed by range of motion (ROM) and progressive strengthening exercises for the lower limbs using free weights. Training intensity progressed from 50%-60% of 3RM in the first week to 80%-85% by weeks 7-8, with three sets of ten repetitions per exercise. Scar management included 15-20 minutes of deep friction massage, along with skin mobilization techniques. Additionally, customized pressure garments (25-40 mmHg) were used throughout the day, except during hygiene and exercise sessions, with silicone materials applied in areas requiring additional pressure.

Traditional physiotherapy program; frenkel exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Body mass index (BMI) between 25-30 kg/m²
• Total body surface area (TBSA) 30%-45% determined by rule of nines
• Second-degree thermal burns affecting the lower limbs
• After full wound healing
• Ability to stand and walk independently or with minimal assistance
• Ability to participate in balance training exercises

You may not qualify if:

• Open wounds in or near the treatment area
• Chemical or electrical burns or inhalation injuries
• Musculoskeletal conditions affecting exercise or testing, or visual/hearing impairments
• Uncontrolled cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases
• Malignant conditions
• Severe behavioral or cognitive disorders
• Uncooperative patients
• Proprioception deficit or balance impairment due to other diseases

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burns

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: Double (Participant, Investigator)
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start: May 31, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 8, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 12, 2026
• Last Updated: June 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share