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Advanced Neurology

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
The effects of a task-oriented walking

intervention on improving balance self-efficacy
in post-stroke patients

Malik Muhammad Atif and Farjad Afzal*

Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The objective of study was to find out the effects of a task-oriented walking
intervention on improving balance self-efficacy in post-stroke patients. In the present
study, 30 patients with stroke who volunteered to participate were selected after
informed consent was obtained. Subjects were divided into two groups by lottery
random method. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activity-specific Balance Confidence
(ABC) Scale were applied as the outcome measurement tools. The interventions
lasted for 6 months. The experimental group received task-oriented walking
intervention. The control group received conventional interventions in the form of
range of motion exercises, strength, and other conventional treatments. The baseline
mean scores were 27.2 ± 7.13 and 31.26 ± 10.43 on ABC scale and BBS, respectively,
in control group, whereas the scores were 29.13 ± 8.00 and 21.80 ± 8.98, respectively,
in experimental group. The post-interventional mean scores were 31.40 ± 6.56 and
33.46 ± 9.818 on ABC scale and BBS, respectively, in control group, whereas the scores
were 38.34 ± 8.42 and 37.06 ± 10.13, respectively, in experimental group. This study
*Corresponding author: concluded that patients who were receiving task-oriented walking had considerable
Farjad Afzal improvement in balance self-efficacy. Patients who were in control group and did
(farjad.afzal@uos.edu.pk) activities while sitting showed lesser improvement compared to those receiving
Citation: Atif MM, Afzal F, 2023, task-oriented walking. Therefore, the findings showed that task-oriented walking
The effects of a task-oriented therapy is potential in improving balance self-efficacy and daily living activities of
walking intervention on improving
balance self-efficacy in post-stroke patients with stroke.
patients. Adv Neuro, 2(2): 388
https://doi.org/10.36922/an.388
Keywords: Task-oriented walking intervention; Balance self-efficacy; Stroke; Techniques
Received: February 20, 2023
Accepted: May 2, 2023
Published Online: May 30, 2023 1. Introduction
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
This is an Open Access article Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, and many stroke survivors experience
distributed under the terms of the mobility impairments, including difficulty with walking and balance . Task-oriented
[1]
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution, training is an approach to rehabilitation that focuses on improving an individual’s ability
and reproduction in any medium, to perform functional tasks, such as walking, that are relevant to their daily life . Task-
[2]
provided the original work is
properly cited. oriented training has been shown to be an effective approach to improving mobility and
functional performance in stroke survivors .
[3]
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Task-oriented training involves exercises that are tailored to the individual’s goals
regard to jurisdictional claims in [4]
published maps and institutional and abilities . These exercises are designed to improve the individual’s ability to
affiliations. perform functional tasks, such as walking, that are relevant to their daily life. Examples
Volume 2 Issue 2 (2023) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/an.388