Effects of Dual Task Training Versus Task-specific Training on Lower Limb Function, Trunk Control and Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

One of the leading causes of disability among the elderly is stroke. After a stroke, it is highly usual for lower extremity function, balance and trunk control to be compromised. After a stroke, trunk control is a crucial early predictor of functional recovery. Following a stroke, proximal trunk control is necessary for distal limb movement control, balance, and functional capacity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Stroke
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Dual task training; Other: Selected physiotherapy program; Other: Task-specific training

Detailed Description

Forty-five chronic stroke patients, ages 45 to 55, were divided into three equal groups for this randomized controlled study: GA consisted of 15 patients, GB of 15 patients, and GC of 15 patients each. Group A (the study group) received dual motor task training in addition to the selected physiotherapy program, Group B (the study group) received task-oriented training in addition to the selected physiotherapy program, and Group C only received the selected physiotherapy program for 12 weeks. All groups received treatment three times a week for twelve weeks, with each session lasting sixty minutes. The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Biodex Balance System (BBS), and Fugl Meyer Lower Extremity (FM-LE) were used to evaluate each of the three groups pre and post treatments.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 45
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Menoufia
    • Sadat, Menoufia, Egypt
      • Al Ryada University for Science and Technology

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 45 chronic stroke patients between the ages of 45 and 55 who were of both sexes, had been ill with stroke for more than six months to a year, had received at least nine years of education, had a score on the Berg balance scale between 41 and less than 45, and had cognitive functions greater than 26 on the MOCA scale were included in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had any neurological condition that affected balance other than stroke (such as inner ear, vestibular, or cerebellar dysfunction), communication disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, or unstable angina, hearing or vision issues, or respiratory disorders were not allowed to participate.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A; received dual motor task training in addition to the selected physiotherapy program, three times a week for twelve weeks, with each session lasting sixty minutes.	Other: Dual task training; Dual motor task training for 30 minutes. The dual motor training was divided into two phases. The first part involved a single task condition in which the stroke patient was instructed to stand up from a seated position at a self-selected speed without the use of upper limb assistance. Cognitive and physical tasks, is the second part of training. In addition to a 30-minute selected physiotherapy program.; Other: Selected physiotherapy program; Consisting of trunk control, trunk stabilization, balance training and lower extremity strengthening exercises (primarily for the hip adductors and abductors) for 60 minutes.
Experimental: Group B; received task-oriented training in addition to the selected physiotherapy program, three times a week for twelve weeks, with each session lasting sixty minutes.	Other: Selected physiotherapy program; Consisting of trunk control, trunk stabilization, balance training and lower extremity strengthening exercises (primarily for the hip adductors and abductors) for 60 minutes.; Other: Task-specific training; Began with a highchair before switching to a low one. In addition to a 30-minute selected physiotherapy program.
Other: Group C; only received the selected physiotherapy program, three times a week for twelve weeks, with each session lasting sixty minutes.	Other: Selected physiotherapy program; Consisting of trunk control, trunk stabilization, balance training and lower extremity strengthening exercises (primarily for the hip adductors and abductors) for 60 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Trunk impairment scale	It assesses trunk coordination skills as well as static and dynamic balance while seated	4 weeks
Functional Reach test	This one-item exam is intended to serve as a rapid screening tool for balance issues	4 weeks
Biodex Balance System	Used to evaluate balance	4 weeks
Fugl-Meyer lower extremity	This test is designed to evaluate lower extremity motor and sensory impairment after a stroke	4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ahmed Alshimy

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 5, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 5, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): July 10, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 28, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): August 3, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 28, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Stroke; balance; lower extremity; task-specific training; trunk control; dual task training
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Stroke
• Other Study ID Numbers: P.T.REC/ 012/003564

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No