Objective: To determine if the group based task-oriented training would promote better balance and ambulation than in the form of individual therapy session of the same tasks and can be replaced by the usual individual based treatment in sub-acute stroke.
Methodology: This Randomized Controlled Trial included a total of 22 patients who had stroke less than three months of onset and were assigned in one of two groups. One group received group based task oriented circuit training and the second group received task oriented circuit training on individual basis. The treatment had 3 sessions of 50 minutes each for six weeks. We measured walking endurance, walking speed, balance and ambulation. We used motor assessment scale, Berg balance scale, dynamic gait index, ten meter walk test and six minutesÂ’ walk test. Data analysis was performed with SPSS version 16.
Results: All primary outcome measure were found to be equally improved in the two groups. But within group analyses showed improvement in the variables among two groups. The scores for berg balance scale, motor assessment scale, and dynamic gait index were at a similar level before and after the interventions.
Conclusion: Even the simpler form of group based or class based task oriented circuit training is equally effective in improving the balance and the walking ability, walking competency, walking endurance as the individual based task oriented circuit training. The group based treatment can be more efficient way of delivery of rehabilitation to a large number of patients and can be incorporated into the everyday practice.
Key words: Stroke, Circuit-Based Exercise, Stroke Rehabilitation, Gait.
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