Background: Over half of stroke survivors aged 65 and older encounter reduced mobility. Vertebrobasilar strokes constitute roughly 20% of all strokes, and common symptoms include hemiparesis, cognitive deficits, ataxia, and dysarthria. This case report aims to detail the assessment, intervention, and outcomes of a patient recovering from a vertebral artery stroke. Physical therapy focused on enhancing balance and gait through dual-task training and trunk control exercises. Case Description: A 61-year-old Caucasian woman was referred to outpatient physical therapy following a stay at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital for treatment one month after experiencing a left vertebral artery stroke. At the time of treatment, she was ambulatory and independent with all activities of daily living. Outpatient physical therapy aimed to address continuing limitations in strength, balance, and gait. Intervention: Lower extremity strengthening, proprioception exercises, dual-task activities, and trunk control training were the primary interventions, implemented either individually or in tandem. Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures considered for this patient were the Berg Balance Scale and Functional Gait Assessment. Limits of Stability (LOS) and modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) using the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master were also assessed. Discussion: This case report demonstrates an example of a positive outcome following outpatient rehabilitation in a patient post vertebral artery stroke. While combining core strengthening and dual-task activities may have led to improved balance and gait, causation is impossible to determine due to factors such as dosing, acute care treatments, omitted interventions, and normal healing with time. The report emphasizes the importance of outpatient physical therapy in stroke recovery, suggesting various avenues for future research.
Dissertation
Trunk Control Exercises and Dual-Task Training for Improved Balance and Gait, 1 Month Post Vertebral Artery Stroke: A Case Report
University of Iowa
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
Autumn 2023
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Trunk Control Exercises and Dual-Task Training for Improved Balance and Gait, 1 Month Post Vertebral Artery Stroke: A Case Report
- Creators
- Adam Mueller - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Stacey DeJong (Advisor) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Case Report
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2023
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 12 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2023 Adam Mueller
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Case Reports
- Record Identifier
- 9984560346402771
Metrics
2 File views/ downloads
17 Record Views