Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in brain plasticity, balance and functional ability in stroke survivors: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Brain injuries such as strokes cause damage and death of the neuron cells. Physiotherapy interventions help to improve patient's performance and ability. However, this is only theorized but the impact of the physiotherapy intervention on brain plasticity is not known.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of physiotherapy interventions on brain neuroplasticity by evaluating the brain plasticity regeneration, balance and functional ability.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 64 stroke patients from three hospitals in the Surakarta region, Indonesia. Control groups (n = 32) received conventional physiotherapy and intervention groups (n = 32) received neurorestoration protocol, which both lasted for seven days. Efficacy of the interventions were measured on brain-derived neurotropic factor serum analysis, Berg Balance Scale and Barthel Index, respectively.

RESULTS: Both groups showed improvements in all parameters but only balance and functional performance had a statistically significant outcome.

CONCLUSION: Neurorestoration protocol that combined several established physiotherapy interventions was effective in improving balance and functional ability of stroke patients in only a seven days period.