The effect of exercise on balance in newly diagnosed Transient Ischaemic Attack patients?

Recent research has demonstrated that balance and balance confidence is impaired after stroke, limiting independence in activities of daily living (i.e., cooking, shopping, walking, etc). When symptoms of stroke resolve within 24 hours it is known as a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA; ‘mini’ stroke). To date, research is yet to identify whether balance and/or balance confidence is impaired in patients following a TIA. Anecdotal evidence from the study CEN/10/10/046 revealed that balance may be impaired in TIA patients. TIA patients mentioned that they received substantial functional benefits from exercises aimed at improving balance after completing an 8 week exercise intervention. However, the degree to which a balance-based exercise intervention positively influences balance performance and confidence has not been established. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to identify whether balance is actually impaired in TIA patients. Previous research has demonstrated that balance training exercises improves balance performance and confidence after stroke. Providing balance impairments are found in TIA patients, this investigation also aims to identify the effects of a balance-based exercise intervention on balance performance and confidence.