可独立步行的脑卒中患者运动强度指标选择的初步研究

目的观察可独立步行脑卒中患者心率、主观劳累程度分级与运动强度间的相关性。 方法共选取18例具有独立步行功能的脑卒中患者,采用K4b2型便携式运动心肺功能仪记录受试者在静息坐位、坐-站转换、靠墙挺髋、患腿支撑-健腿上抬、健腿支撑-患腿上抬、上下楼梯、60 m行走过程中的心率、耗氧量以及完成每项动作后的主观劳累程度分级。采用相关分析法研究心率及主观劳累程度分级与耗氧量间的相关性。 结果具有独立步行功能脑卒中患者心率与耗氧量间具有中等程度相关性;主观劳累分级与耗氧量间仅为弱相关性。 结论对于具有独立步行功能的脑卒中患者而言,采用心率作为运动强度评定指标优于主观劳累程度分级。     

心肌梗死患者不同康复时期代谢当量的预测

目的：对递增负荷的Bruce跑台测试方案给出的代谢当量（METs）与运动中根据摄氧量（VO2）计算的METs进行比较,旨在为心肌梗死后（PMI）患者提供不同康复时期METs的预测。方法：101名男性PMI患者参加了12周有氧多样化运动康复程序,程序前、后对其气体代谢、心肺机能、运动能力等指标进行测试。结果：康复程序前后受试者安静时的VO2分别为3.9ml/kg·min和3.8ml/kg·min。运动中的METs与跑台测试方案给出的METs及以安静状态VO2为3.5ml/kg·min（正常成人）时计算得出的METs均有差异。本研究为PMI患者提供的预测METs方法分别为：康复程序前,METs=3.2+1.07跑台等级,或METs=-7.4+0.12HR（心搏次数/min）;康复程序后,METs=1.9+1.04跑台等级,或METs=-6.4+0.11HR(心搏次数/min）。结论：本研究建立的HR与METs的相关关系,有助于指导患者确定运动的适宜强度。     

对称负重式坐站-站坐训练对脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能以及ADL的影响

目的：探讨对称负重式坐站-站坐训练对脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能以及ADL的影响。方法：48例脑卒中偏瘫患者随机分为2组各24例,生命体征平稳后均接受常规康复治疗,对照组给予常规的双足平行位进行坐站-站坐训练;观察组患者采用患足置后下坐站-站坐训练;2组患者均接受4周,每周5次,每次30min的坐站-站坐训练。训练前后分别采用Berg平衡量表(BBS)评分、改良Barthel指数评定量表 (MBI)评定平衡能力、日常生活活动能力,使用平衡评估系统测试2组患者训练前后坐位静态下压力中心点的轨迹长及轨迹面积（COP-SL、COP-SA）、训练后独立完成坐站及站坐的时间、双下肢负重对称性（WBasym）。结果：训练后,2组患者CoP-SL较训练前明显降低（P<0.01）,2组患者CoP-SA、BBS及MBI较训练前明显提高（P<0.01）;观察组的BBS及MBI评分更高于对照组（P<0.01）,2组的坐位平衡比较差异无统计学意义。训练4周后,观察组完成坐-站转移所需的时间、健侧下肢负重、WBasym均明显低于对照组（P<0.01）,患足负重明显高于对照组（P<0.01）。观察组完成站-坐转移所需的时间、健/患侧下肢负重、WBasym与对照组相比较,差异无统计学意义。结论：对称负重式坐站-站坐训练能更好地促进脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能以及ADL提高。     

改良坐-站转移训练对脑卒中偏瘫患者下肢运动功能及平衡能力的影响

目的观察改良坐-站训练对脑卒中偏瘫患者下肢运动功能及平衡能力的影响。 方法采用随机数字表法将50例脑卒中后偏瘫患者分为实验组及对照组,每组25例。2组患者于生命体征稳定后均给予常规康复治疗,对照组患者在此基础上辅以常规坐-站转移训练,实验组患者则辅以改良坐-站转移训练（即在患足置后情况下进行坐-站转移训练）。于治疗前、治疗4周后分别采用Berg平衡量表(BBS)、Fugl-Meyer评定法下肢部分（FMA-L）对2组患者进行评定,同时使用AL-080型平衡功能评估系统对2组患者坐-站转移所需时间、下肢负重差异（ALD）及人体重心在冠状面上摆动幅度（COGX）进行评测,并观察其差异性。 结果与治疗前比较,2组患者治疗后其BBS评分、FMA-L评分、坐-站转移所需时间、ALD及COGX均显著改善（P<0.05）;进一步分析发现,实验组患者治疗后其BBS评分［(47.5±5.3)分］、FMA-L评分［(22.4±7.3)分］、坐-站转移所需时间［(3.01±0.61)s］、ALD［(17.24±5.35)］及COGX［(2.87±0.52)cm］均显著优于对照组水平（P<0.05）。 结论改良坐-站转移训练能进一步促进脑卒中偏瘫患者下肢运动功能及平衡能力提高,该疗法值得临床推广、应用。     

上肢位及椅子高度对脑卒中偏瘫患者坐-站转移时下肢负重及稳定性的影响

目的：探讨上肢位及椅子高度对脑卒中偏瘫患者坐-站转移下肢负重及稳定性的影响。方法：脑卒中偏瘫患者30例,分别在双手叉握（GA）及双手交叉胸前（CA）两种上肢位及两种不同高度的椅子（高椅及标准椅）上完成坐-站转移测试,采用AL-080型步态与平衡功能训练评估系统对受试者完成坐-站转移的时间、双下肢负重、双下肢负重不对称性（IOA）及人体重心点（COG）在冠状面上的摆动幅度（COGX）进行测量,探讨其不同差异。结果：姿势GA时,除坐-站转移所需的时间外,健足平均负重、患足平均负重、IOA及COGX与姿势CA相比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。在高椅子上完成坐-站转移时,与标准椅子相比较,健足平均负重、患足平均负重及IOA无明显差异,而坐-站转移所需时间以及COGX均差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。左侧脑卒中偏瘫与右侧偏瘫相比较,坐-站转移所需时间、患侧下肢负重、健侧下肢负重、IOA及COGX均无差异（P〈0.05）。结论：不同上肢位影响脑卒中偏瘫患者坐-站转移的下肢负重及稳定性;椅子高度影响脑卒中偏瘫患者坐-站转移的稳定性。     

早期坐-站转移训练对亚急性脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能的影响

目的：探讨早期坐-站训练对亚急性脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能的影响。方法：44例亚急性不能独立完成坐-站转移的脑卒中偏瘫患者随机分为2组各22例,均接受常规康复治疗,对照组给予常规辅助下坐-站转移训练;观察组患者采用患足置后下辅助坐-站转移训练。训练前后采用Berg平衡量表(BBS)评估2组患者的平衡功能、AL-080平衡功能评估系统测试2组患者训练前后坐位静态下压力中心点的轨迹长（SLsi）、坐位稳定极限下压力中心点的最大面积（SAsi）、训练后独立完成坐-站转移时间（T）、双下肢负重差异（ALD）、足底压力峰值（Fmax）以及站立静态下压力中心点的轨迹长（SLst）、站立稳定极限下压力中心点的最大面积（SAst）。结果：训练2周后,2组SLsi评分均较训练前明显下降(P<0.01),且观察组更低于对照组(P<0.05);2组SAsi及BBS评分均较训练前明显提高(P<0.01),且观察组更高于对照组(P<0.05)。训练后, 观察组完成坐-站转移所需的时间、健侧下肢负重及ALD评分均明显低于对照组(P<0.05),观察组患侧下肢负重、Fmax及动态SAst评分均明显高于对照组(P<0.05);2组SLst评分比较差异无统计学意义。结论：早期坐-站转移训练能更好地促进脑卒中偏瘫患者平衡功能提高,且采用患足置后下坐-站转移训练效果更佳。     

高血压、高胆固醇和吸烟对心肌梗死后患者运动负荷能力的影响

目的:定性并定量地分析高血压、高胆固醇和吸烟对心肌梗死后(PMI)患者运动时心脏负荷能力的影响。方法:46例未服用β-阻断剂的PMI患者根据其冠心病危险指数(Dundeerank,DR)(由血压、血胆固醇数值和吸烟状况得出)被分成三组:DR<60(1组,14例)、6070(3组,17例),然后在跑台上进行递增负荷实验(改良Bruce方案)。运动中每3min记录一次主观用力感觉和血压,每30s测量一次摄氧量(VO2)和心率,由VO2计算得出代谢当量(METs),并连续监测12导心电图。结果:运动时间、METs与DR之间存在高度正相关(P<0.01)。最大运动能力为7.5METs(运动"低危层")时DR的对应数值为70。在心脏康复早期只有部分患者(39.1%)可达到低危层的METs值。结论:DR与METs之间的高度相关意味着患者运动中的危险层次可以通过血压、血液胆固醇和吸烟状况被预测出来,这将有助于康复专业人员利用METs值为患者设定适宜的运动水平。     

强制性使用运动疗法对脑卒中偏瘫患者肢体运动功能的影响

目的：探讨强制性使用运动疗法（CIMT）对脑卒中偏瘫患者上、下肢运动功能的康复疗效。方法：选择2005年8月-2007年3月在我院康复医学科治疗并符合人选标准的8例脑卒中偏瘫患者。在基线期采用常规功能训练。上肢采用改良的CIMT，在治疗期间健侧穿戴吊带和夹板限制肢体动作，每天清醒时固定时间不少于90％，同时接受塑型训练。下肢CIMT训练的内容主要包括：运动平板训练、起坐训练，以及上下楼梯训练、平衡训练、单腿负重等。在CIMT治疗前8周的基线期、治疗前和治疗后分别采用简易上肢功能检查（STEF）和10m最大步行速度（MWS）来评价患者的上、下肢运动功能。结果：8例患者全部进入结果分析。常规康复治疗前后比较：STEF和MWS功平均提高3．0±1．2分和3．1±0．9s，效应值分别为0．11和0．14。强制性使用运动疗法治疗前后比较：STEF和MWS功平均提高27．3±11．1分和10．1±6．7s，效应值分别为1．73和0．51。结论：强制性使用运动疗法是改善脑卒中偏瘫患者上、下肢运动功能一种有效治疗方法，可以显著促进患者上、下肢功能的改善，提高日常生活活动能力．疗效明显优于常规训练。     

不同足位对脑卒中偏瘫患者坐-站转移稳定性及下肢负重的影响

目的探讨不同足位对脑卒中偏瘫患者坐-站转移稳定性及下肢负重的影响。 方法选取脑卒中偏瘫患者36例（实验组）和健康人36例（对照组）,2组受试者均需在双足（BF）踝背屈10°、BF踝背屈10°时患足置后（PFP）或非优势足置后（UFDP）、BF踝背屈10°时健足置后（NPFP）或优势足置后（DFP）3种足位下完成坐-站转移测试,采用AL-080型步态与平衡功能训练评估系统对受试者完成坐-站转移的时间、双下肢负重差异（ALD）、人体重心点（COG）在冠状面上的摆动幅度（COGX）进行测量,探讨其不同差异。 结果BF踝背屈10°时,除坐-站转移所需的时间外,健足平均负重［（59.12±2.71）%］、患足平均负重［（40.88±2.71）%］、ALD［（18.24±5.41）%］及COGX［（3.58±0.76）cm］与PFP比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。NPFP时,上述所有指标与PFP比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）,与BF踝背屈10°时各指标比较,除坐-站转移所需时间外,剩余指标与其差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。与对照组UDEP比较,BF踝背屈10°时所有指标均有不同程度增高或降低（P<0.05）,DFP时,除坐-站转移所需时间外,剩余指标与UDFP时比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。对照组3种足位下所有指标与实验组比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。实验组PFP时（r=0.753、P=0.00）、BF踝背屈10°时（r=0.798、P=0.00）、NPFP时（r=0.814、P=0.00）ALD与COGX之间呈高度正相关性,对照组UDFP时（r=0.764、P=0.00）、BF踝背屈10°时（r=0.824、P=0.00）、DFP时（r=0.838、P=0.00）ALD与COGX之间亦呈高度正相关性。 结论不同足位对脑卒中偏瘫患者坐-站转移稳定性及下肢负重的影响较大,患者双下肢负重的对称性越高,其姿势稳定性越好。     

姿势对脑卒中偏瘫患者站-坐转移下肢负重及稳定性的影响

目的:探讨不同的四肢体位对脑卒中偏瘫患者站-坐转移下肢负重及稳定性的影响。方法:选取30例脑卒中偏瘫患者为实验组,30例正常人为对照组,两组受试者均在4种肢位下完成站-坐转移,对受试者完成站-坐转移的时间、双下肢负重、人体重心点在冠状面上的最大摆动幅度(COGX)进行比较。结果:不同上肢体位下脑卒中偏瘫患者站-坐转移的所需时间、下肢负重及COGX的差异不显著(0.05P0.1)。不同足位下脑卒中偏瘫患者站-坐转移的时间、下肢负重及COGX有差异,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05);患足置后,脑卒中偏瘫患者完成站-坐转移时双下肢负重的不对称性要明显小于健足置后(P0.05);而当健足置后时,脑卒中偏瘫患者完成站-坐转移的稳定性要明显优于患足置后(P0.05)。正常人在不同四肢体位下其站-坐转移的时间、下肢负重及COGX均无显著性意义(P0.05)。结论:不同上肢体位对脑卒中偏瘫患者站-坐转移的稳定性及下肢负重无明显影响;不同足位能显著影响脑卒中偏瘫患者站-坐转移时稳定性及下肢负重,患足置后可视为一种潜在提高患侧下肢功能的训练方法。     

Exercise intensity criteria for routine rehabilitation therapy for stroke patients

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to observe the relationships among heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, and oxygen consumption in stroke patients and the effectiveness of improving aerobic capacity during routine rehabilitation therapy. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-six stroke patients participated in the study. A K4b² pulmonary function device was used to record heart rate (beats per minute), oxygen consumption (Equation Section (Next)ml·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹), and rate of perceived exertion. Results were recorded after completing the following activities continuously: (1) silent sitting, (2) sit-to-stand transfers, (3) hip extension while standing against a wall, (4) weight loading on the affected leg, (5) upward and downward leg movements on a stall bar, (6) walking up and down a flight of stairs, and (7) a 60-meter walk. Correlation analyses were performed to demonstrate the relationship of oxygen consumption with HR and RPE. [Results] Moderate correlation was found between HR and oxygen consumption, and low correlation was found between rate of perceived exertion and oxygen consumption. The routine rehabilitation therapy could reduce the accumulation of lactate. [Conclusion] HR is a better index than rate of perceived exertion in evaluating exercise intensity in stroke patients. The routine rehabilitation therapy can improve the aerobic capacity of stroke patients.Key words: Stroke, Oxygen consumption, Heart rate     

Asymmetric leg loading during sit-to-stand, walking and quiet standing in patients after unilateral total hip replacement surgery

BACKGROUND: Asymmetric limb loading persists well after unilateral total hip replacement surgery and represents a risk of the development of osteoarthritis in the non-operated leg. Here we studied bilateral limb loading in hip arthroplasty patients for a variety of everyday activities. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients and 27 healthy age-matched control subjects participated in the study. They were asked to stand up from a chair, to stand quietly, to perform isometric maximal voluntary contractions and to walk along a 10 m path at a natural and fast speed. Two force platforms measured vertical forces under each foot during quiet standing and sit-to-stand maneuver. Temporal variables of gait were measured using footswitches. FINDINGS: In all tasks patients tended to preferentially load the non-operated limb, though the amount of asymmetry depended on the task being most prominent during standing up (inter-limb weight bearing difference exceeded 20%, independent of speed or visual conditions). In contrast, when performing maximal voluntary contractions, or during walking and quiet standing, the inter-limb difference in the maximal force production, stance/swing phase durations or weight bearing was typically less than 10%. INTERPRETATION: The results suggest that the amount of asymmetry might not be necessarily the same for different tasks. Asymmetric leg loading in patients can be critical during sit-to-stand maneuver in comparison with quiet standing and walking, and visual information seems to play only a minor role in the control of the weight-bearing ability. The proposed asymmetry indices might be clinically significant for development of post-surgical rehabilitation.     

Comparison of early postoperative functional levels following total hip replacement using minimally invasive versus standard incisions. A prospective randomized blinded trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of single-incision minimally invasive total hip replacement (< or = 10 cm) to standard-incision (16 cm) total hip replacement in the early postoperative period with respect to functional and mobilizing ability (transfers, mobilizing, walking and stair assessment). SETTING: Orthopaedic wards of a regional orthopaedic centre. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and nineteen total hip replacement patients were tested between December 2003 and June 2004. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to either total hip replacement through a minimally invasive (< or = 10 cm) or standard incision (16 cm). A single surgeon performed all procedures using the same type of component fixation. Postoperative physiotherapy assessment and treatment was standardized. Analgesia was also standardized. All patients, physiotherapy staff and assessors were blinded to the incision used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were tested two days post operatively and were assessed for the following activities: transfer from supine to sit, transfer from sitting to standing, mobilizing, ascending and descending stairs and weight-bearing. RESULTS: The shorter incision offered no significant improvement in patient ability in relation to transfer from lying to sitting, transfer from sitting to standing, mobilizing or weight-bearing. Ascending/descending stairs gave a total time for the minimal incision of 38.7 s against 40.8 s for a standard incision. There was no difference in walking velocity between the standard incision and minimal incision groups two days post operatively (minimal incision = 0.26 m/s versus standard incision = 0.26 m/s) or six weeks post operatively (minimal incision = 0.90 m/s versus standard incision = 0.93 m/s). There was no difference between groups with respect to walking aids at six-week review. The mean length of stay for the minimally invasive approach was 3.65 days (SD 2.04) against 3.68 days (SD 2.45) for the standard approach. This was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Total hip replacement performed through a minimally invasive incision of < or = 10 cm compared with a standard incision of 16 cm offers no significant benefit in terms of the rate or ability of patients to mobilize and perform functional tasks necessary for safe discharge.     

Leg loading during quiet standing and sit-to-stand movement for one year after total hip arthroplasty

Background: The objective of the present study was to investigate loading of the operated leg during quiet standing and sit-to-stand (STS) movement for 1 year after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis (OA) who had undergone unilateral primary THA participated in this study. The load distribution on the operated and non-operated legs was computed by measuring the vertical reaction force of the operated and non-operated legs during quiet standing and STS movement. We investigated the load distribution using Pressure Distribution Measurement Platform preoperatively and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Findings: Loading of the operated leg during quiet standing was restored 1 month postoperatively. Loading of the operated leg during STS movement was higher within 2 months postoperatively than the preoperative levels and continued to increase 1 year postoperatively. Loading of the operated leg was lower during STS movement than that during quiet standing, even 1 year postoperatively. Interpretation: A longitudinal and dynamic assessment of loading of the operated leg after THA is clinically important, and the loading during STS movement might continue to increase for a year after THA.     

Recovery time of independent function post-stroke

Stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation were monitored daily to determine the length of time needed to recover independent function. Of the 93 patients admitted, there were 45 who could not attain the sitting position independently, 75 who could not walk independently and 75 who could not negotiate the stairs independently. By discharge, 25 of 45 patients (55.6%) were able to attain sitting from supine independently, 35 of 75 patients (46.7%) achieved the ability to walk independently but only 25 of 75 patients (33.3%) learned to negotiate stairs independently. The time from admission to achievement of independent function and the time from onset of stroke to achievement of independent function was modeled in relation to explanatory variables: age, sex, side of lesion, comorbidity, the presence of depression and the extent of impairment in perception, cognition, auditory comprehension and verbal expression. Four variables were found to influence recovery time: age influenced the rate of recovery of walking and stair climbing; perceptual impairment influenced the rate of achieving independent sitting and stair climbing; and depression and comprehension influenced walking.     

Decreased trunk angular displacement during sitting down: an early feature of aging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Trunk motion plays an important role in achieving both sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transfers. However, these 2 body transfers depend on different postural and mechanical constraints. Although the effects of aging on sit-to-stand transfers have been widely studied, there is a lack of information concerning stand-to-sit transfers. The aim of this study was to determine how angular displacements of the trunk and shank are affected by aging during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transfers. SUBJECTS: Ten community-dwelling older adults (mean age=75.9 years, SD=3.2) and 9 young adults (mean age=26.8 years, SD=4.7) volunteered to participate. METHODS: Maximal angular displacements of the trunk and shank with respect to the vertical (ie, orientation angles) were measured, during standing up and sitting down, using an optoelectronic movement analyzer. RESULTS: For standing up, there was no difference between the young and older adults with regard to both maximal orientation angles. During sitting down, the maximal shank orientation angle was not affected by age, whereas the older adults had a smaller trunk motion compared with the young adults (approximately 10 degrees less). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results showed that older adults tended to minimize the forward body displacement during sitting down. This strategy could be seen as an adaptive mechanism to decrease the risk of anterior disequilibrium. The authors suggest that this feature could be used as an early marker of aging on postural control.     

A telemetric technique for studies of venous pressure in the human leg during different positions and activities

Summary. The pressure in the saphenous vein of the lower leg was monitored by ordinary ECG telemetry equipment supplied with a pressure transducer, a chopper and an extra filter. In eight healthy volunteers venous pressure averaged 802 5 (SD) mmHg in the standing position and 21210 (SD) mmHg during slow walking. When the subjects were occupied with laboratory work in upright position the mean venous pressure was 40–50 mmHg, similar to that obtained sitting at a desk: 48 ± 5 (SD) mmHg.     

The association between visuospatial neglect and balance and mobility post-stroke onset: A systematic review

BackgroundAlthough previous narrative reviews have highlighted a potential association between visuospatial neglect (VSN) and balance disorders, to what extent different areas of balance and mobility could be affected is still unclear.ObjectivesThis systematic review updates previous literature findings and systematically reviews sitting balance, standing balance and mobility outcomes.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Naric-Rehabdata, PEDro and the Cochrane Trials Library were systematically searched. Methodological quality was assessed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. The association between VSN and sitting balance, standing balance and mobility (walking, stair climbing/descending and transfers) was investigated.ResultsIn total, 48 studies were included (4595 stroke survivors): at least 1319 (29%) showed symptoms of VSN. VSN was associated with less independence during sitting, with an asymmetric posture toward the affected body side. For standing balance, we revealed a significant negative association between VSN and mediolateral stability and weight shifting, whereas only activities of daily living-related VSN was associated with weight-bearing asymmetry during static stance. While walking, patients with VSN laterally deviated from their path. Results were inconclusive regarding other aspects of mobility. The association between VSN and balance/mobility seemed to decrease over time.ConclusionsDespite great heterogeneity in results, this study suggests that stroke survivors with VSN show specific deviations in posture and movement in the mediolateral direction. Although the association between VSN and balance/mobility has been extensively investigated, explanatory studies evaluating underlying mechanisms of the frequently present association are lacking. Future studies should address this by combining clinical and instrumented assessment of balance and gait performance, preferably longitudinally to investigate the associations over time.     

Balance training following stroke: effects of task-oriented exercises with and without altered sensory input

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a task-oriented exercise program with and without altered sensory input on postural stability in subjects with stroke. Sixteen hemiparetic subjects, at least 6 months post-stroke, were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group, and participated in an 8-week task-oriented exercise program focusing on balance and mobility exercises. Exercises were performed under normal conditions by the control group, and under conditions of vision and surface manipulation by the experimental group. Pre- and post-test assessments involved the measurement of the center of pressure (COP) displacement during double-legged stance and sit-to-stand under four sensory conditions: (1) eyes open, normal surface; (2) eyes open, soft surface; (3) eyes closed, normal surface; and (4) eyes closed, soft surface, as well as the 10-m walking test. Results showed significant improvements (P<0.05) in COP displacement under sensory conditions (1) and (2) for the experimental group only, and limited changes for the sit-to-stand in both groups after training. Significant improvements (P<0.05) were also found in both groups for the walking test. It is concluded that a task-oriented exercise program, assisted by sensory manipulation, is more effective at improving the standing balance of stroke subjects than a conventional task-oriented program.