Publications

ABSTRACT: 

Background: The present review was conducted to critically evaluate the existing body of literature on the application of sensory re-weighting strategies in rehabilitation program for stroke survivors to offer evidence-based insights that can lead more individualised, sensory focused rehabilitation interventions, potentially reducing the risk of fall and improving the quality of walking in stroke survivors. 

Methods: Databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Pedro were searched for published papers from 2014 to 2024. We evaluated the effect of different sensory re-weighting techniques on balance and walking independence in sub-acute and chronic stroke survivors. 

Results: 8 articles described the results following the application of different sensory re-weighting techniques such as perturbation-based balance exercise, galvanic stimulations, optokinetic stimulations and gaze stability exercises on balance and walking independence in patients with stroke that met our inclusion criteria were found. Among these studies, one study described the results in subacute and seven in chronic stroke patients. The results indicated that balance and walking independence can be improved with sensory re-weighting techniques. 

Conclusion: The results of this study strengthen the idea that sensory re-weighting techniques has the potential to become an effective adjacent to routine rehabilitation treatments for improving balance and walking independence post-stroke. However, research gap exists in the understanding of implementing a clinical protocol involving all the three phases of stroke recovery (Acute, Subacute & Chronic). Hence appropriate studies need to be conducted to understand the importance of sensory reweighting. 

Keywords: Clinical Protocols, Neurological Rehabilitation, Stroke Survivors, balance training, sensory re-training.