Training of balance control in post-stroke patients

Research questions A common consequence of stroke is a disturbed postural control arising from lesions in the central nervous system that affect motor and possibly sensory aspects of movement control. In the majority of stroke patients the disturbed control is expressed in a decreased ability to bear weight on the paretic leg and to shift weight from one leg to the other. Consequently, gait and the performance of personal daily tasks, such as dressing is detrimentally affected, and the risk of falling is increased. The presences of inadequate responses to perturbations increase this risk further. The aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that support base movements facilitate functional balance control in stroke patients.