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Feasibility of Ballistic Strength Training in Sub-Acute Stroke: A Randomized, Controlled, Assessor-Blinded Pilot Study
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Feasibility of Ballistic Strength Training in Sub-Acute Stroke: A Randomized, Controlled, Assessor-Blinded Pilot Study

Gavin Williams, Genevieve Hendrey, Ross Clark and Anne Holland
Brain Injury, Vol.33(Supplement 1), p.96
World Congress on Brain Injury, 13th (Toronto, Canada, 13-Mar-2019–16-Mar-2019)
2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2019.1608749
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https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2019.1608749View
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Abstract

Medical and Health Sciences Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Aim: To establish the feasibility and effectiveness of a sixweek ballistic strength training protocol in people with stroke. Design: Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded study. Method: Consecutively admitted inpatients to sub-acute rehabilitation with a primary diagnosis of first ever stroke with lower limb weakness, functional ambulation category score of ≥3, and ability to walk ≥14m were screened for eligibility. Thirty participants (11% of those screened) with mean age of 50 (SD 18) years were randomized to usual care or ballistic strength training three times per week for six weeks. The primary aim was to evaluate feasibility, and outcomes included recruitment rate, participant retention and attrition, feasibility of the exercise protocol, therapist burden and participant safety. Secondary outcomes included measures of mobility, lower limb muscle strength, muscle power, and quality of life. Results: The median number of sessions attended was 15/18 and 17/18 for the ballistic and control groups respectively. Earlier than expected discharge home (n=4) and illness (n=7) were the most common reasons for non-attendance. Participants performed the exercises safely, with no studyrelated adverse events. There were significant (p<0.05) between-group changes favoring the ballistic group for comfortable gait velocity (95% confidence interval CI: 0.08 to 0.52m/s), and muscle power, as measured by peak jump height (95% CI: 3 to 13cm) and peak propulsive velocity (95% CI: 17 to 112cm/s). Conclusion: Ballistic training was safe and feasible in select ambulant people with stroke. Similar rates of retention and attrition suggest that ballistic training was acceptable to patients. Secondary outcomes provide promising results that warrant further investigation in a larger trial.

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