The effects of Swiss ball on patients with hemiplegia due to cerebrovascular acciden

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of Swiss ball on patients with hemiplegia due to CVA (stroke). Methods: An intervening and controlled study was conducted with 12 patients of both genders, with average age of 59 years, with chronic hemiplegia. The patients in the experimental group (EG) underwent a treatment with Swiss ball added to conventional physical therapy and those of control group (CG) were submitted only to conventional physiotherapy sessions. The treatment was done twice a week, consisting of 14 sessions. The data were collected on an evaluation form at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. Statistical analysis applied Student t test. Results: Male gender prevailed with typical walking ability, tonus, and posture of chronic hemiplegia patients. The patients in the EG showed significantly greater muscular strength on the lower limbs than those of the control group (p < 0.05), however, the same did not happen regarding other parameters, such as strength on the upper limbs, coordination, and balance. Conclusion: We can conclude that, in the studied group, the treatment with Swiss ball promoted an increase in the strength oflower limbs. NCT00735033