Combined Effects of Rhythmic Breathing and Balance Training on Balance and Trunk Control in Stroke Patients
Combined Effects of Rhythmic Breathing Exercises and Balance Training on Balance and Trunk Control in Patients With Stroke
Riphah International University
50 participants
May 5, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this study is to evaluate the combined effects of rhythmic breathing and balance training on balance, trunk control and postural control in patients with sub-acute stroke. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will there be a difference in combined effects of rhythmic breathing exercises and balance training on balance and trunk control in patients with stroke? * Will there be no difference in combined effects of rhythmic breathing exercises and balance training on balance and trunk control in patients with stroke? The participants will be evenly divided into two groups, * the experimental group will receive rhythmic breathing exercises along with balance training and conventional physical therapy * the control group will only receive balance training and physical therapy. Both the groups will perform their respective exercises for 60 minutes, 3 days a week for consecutive 8 weeks.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria8
- Age 45-65 years old
- Either gender
- Sub-acute stroke (3-6months)
- The cognition level of patient according to Mini Mental Score Examination will be >24
- The trunk control of patient based on Trunk Impairment score is 20 or less than 23
- First-ever ischemic stroke
- Ability to tolerate at least 60 min exercise according to berg scale scoring less than 8
- Agree to sign the written informed consents
Exclusion Criteria4
- Severe visual hemianopsia
- Acute diseases of the heart, brain, kidney and other organs
- Sensory neuropathy such as diabetic neuropathy
- Balance dysfunction due to other neurological disorders
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Interventions
The protocol for Rhythmic Breathing Exercises (22) is given as: Position: Supine with knees and hips slightly flexed, in a comfortable position Inhalation Phase: Deep inhalation with conscious outward movement of the abdomen; pause and hold for 10 seconds Exhalation Phase: Slow exhalation with conscious abdominal retraction, maintaining a slow and deep rhythm Hand Placement: One hand on the chest, one on the abdomen to monitor movement Breathing Cue: Only the hand on the abdomen should move during breathing; the chest should remain still Repetitions: 3 sets of 10 repetitions Rest Between Sets: 1 minute Total Duration: Limited to 10 minutes
Sitting-to-Standing: Performed using a stool with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Lateral Stepping: Walk 3 meters back and forth sideways with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Forward and Backward Stepping: 5 times with right leg stepping first, 5 times with left leg stepping first with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Forward Walking: Walk 3 meters back and forth, turn right at one end and left at the other wit 3 sets of 5 repetitions Stepping Up and Down: 5 times with right leg stepping first, 5 times with left leg stepping first with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Throwing and Catching Ball: Using a soft volleyball with 3 sets of 5 repetitions
Warm-Up: Active/passive ROM exercises for upper and lower limbs, 3 days/week for 10-15 minutes Trunk Control Exercises: Bridging, pelvic tilts, seated trunk rotations, reaching tasks with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 20 minutes Strengthening Exercises: Resistance band work for lower limb extensors, upper limb flexors with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 15-20 minutes Stretching: Hamstrings, calf, hip flexors, upper trapezius with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 10 minutes Postural Control Training: Use of Swiss ball, sitting on unstable surfaces, dual-task exercises with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 15-20 minutes Gait Training: Parallel bar walking, overground ambulation, obstacle walking 3 sets of repetitions for 3 days/week for 15-20 minutes Cool Down: Deep breathing, guided relaxation with 3 days/week for 5-10 minutes Education: Fall prevention, safe transfers, home exercise program with weekly session for 10-15 minutes
Locations(1)
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NCT07576166