Can six weeks of reactive balance training help adults with chronic stroke?
Reactive balance training (RBT) uses unexpected slips to teach the body to recover quickly. A pilot study found that six weeks of this training is safe and feasible for community-dwelling adults with chronic stroke who can walk without aids 17. Participants did not report increased anxiety or fear after the training 17.
What the research says
Research shows that six weeks of RBT can be successfully implemented. In a pilot trial, 12 participants completed the program without increased anxiety or concerns about slipping 17. The training involved triggering unexpected slips as intended to test recovery 17.
The effectiveness of this training depends on the person's current ability. One study found that high-functioning stroke survivors could adapt to higher-intensity slip training, while those with more severe impairment required lower-intensity training to avoid falling 5. Another trial showed that adding cognitive tasks to balance training improved both motor skills and attention under dual-task conditions 6.
Safety is also a consideration. About 32% of participants in walking training programs experienced musculoskeletal adverse events, suggesting that baseline health and orthopedic history should be checked before starting 3.
What to ask your doctor
- Is my current walking ability and orthopedic history safe for reactive balance training?
- Should I start with lower-intensity slip training if I have a history of falls?
- Can I combine balance training with cognitive tasks to improve my attention and balance together?
- How will we measure if the training reduces my fall risk after six weeks?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Neurology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.