双重任务与单一任务训练对老年人步态和平衡改善效果的Meta分析

目的 比较双重任务训练与单一任务训练对健康老年人步态和平衡的改善效果。方法 计算机检索Cochrane Library、Medline、EMBASE、Web of Science、PubMed、Ovid、CINAHL（EBSCO）及中国知网数据库中有关双重任务训练与单一任务训练对健康老年人步态、平衡改善效果的研究。采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果 最终纳入18篇文献,研究对象775例。Meta分析结果显示,双重任务训练对老年人步速和步长的改善效果优于单一任务训练（P<0.05）,2种训练方式对老年人平衡的改善效果差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 双重任务训练比单一任务训练能更好地改善老年人的步速和步长,降低其跌倒风险,对平衡功能的改善效果是否有优势有待进一步探讨。     

不同频率全身振动训练对老年人平衡和核心稳定性的影响

目的 探讨不同频率全身振动训练对老年人动静态平衡能力及核心稳定性的影响。 方法 2018年1月至6月,老年人80例随机分成30 Hz组(n = 40)和45 Hz组(n = 40),分别接受30 Hz和45 Hz全身振动训练,共12周。训练前后,测量最大前后倾压力中心(COP)距离/足长比、单脚闭眼站立时间、闭眼30 s安静站立COP移动轨迹长、30 s连续站立坐下次数和计时起立-行走测试(TUGT)。 结果 训练后,两组最大前后倾COP距离/足长比、单脚闭眼站立时间和30 s连续站立坐下次数均显著增加(t > 7.359, P < 0.001),45 Hz组高于30 Hz组(| t| > 2.271, P < 0.05);闭眼30 s安静站立COP移动轨迹长和TUGT时间显著减少( t > 6.631, P < 0.001),45 Hz组小于30 Hz组( t > 2.171, P < 0.05)。 结论 12周30 Hz和45 Hz全身振动训练均可提高老年人动静态平衡能力,增强核心稳定性,改善移动能力,以预防老年人跌倒发生,45 Hz全身振动训练效果更佳。     

7种运动训练对糖尿病周围神经病变患者平衡功能影响的网状Meta分析

目的 通过网状Meta分析评价7种运动训练对糖尿病周围神经病变患者平衡功能的影响。 方法 检索中国生物医学数据库、中国学术期刊数据库、万方数据库、维普数据库、PubMed、Embase、Scopus、Web of Science及Cochrane Library数据库中关于运动训练对糖尿病周围神经病变患者平衡功能影响的随机对照试验。检索时限为建库至2020年8月。由2名研究者独立进行文献筛选、提取及质量评价。采用Stata 14.0进行网状Meta分析。 结果 纳入17项研究,共766例,运动训练类型共7种。网状Meta分析结果表明,与常规运动相比,采用虚拟情景平衡功能训练、传统联合器械辅助平衡功能训练+全身振动训练可提升患者的动态及静态平衡能力、综合平衡功能及下肢肌肉力量 (P<0.05) ;与传统平衡功能训练相比,采用器械辅助平衡功能训练可提升患者的静态平衡水平 (P<0.01) 。采用传统联合器械辅助平衡功能训练+全身振动训练的疗效最佳。 结论 该研究结果提示,传统联合器械辅助平衡功能训练+全身振动训练是改善糖尿病周围神经病变患者平衡功能的最优训练方式,但仍需要更多的研究进一步论证。     

功能性电刺激改善脑卒中偏瘫患者上肢功能的Meta分析

目的 评价功能性电刺激改善脑卒中偏瘫患者上肢功能的效果。 方法 计算机检索PubMed、EMBASE、Web of Science、Cochrane临床试验数据库、中国知网、万方数据库、CBM、维普数据库,收集功能性电刺激改善脑卒中偏瘫患者上肢功能的随机对照试验,对纳入的研究进行质量评价并提取相关数据,采用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。 结果 共纳入13个随机对照试验,共744例患者。功能性电刺激组改善脑卒中偏瘫患者上肢的运动功能显著优于常规组(MD = 9.77, 95%CI 6.36~13.17, P < 0.001)。亚组分析显示,干预4周以上(MD = 13.42, 95%CI 8.43~18.41, P < 0.001)或以下(MD = 5.82, 95%CI 2.58~9.06, P < 0.001),干预30 min以下(MD = 9.78, 95%CI 6.26~13.29, P < 0.001)或45 min以上(MD = 14.20, 95%CI 0.99~27.40, P < 0.05),均可改善患者上肢运动功能。功能性电刺激组提高脑卒中偏瘫患者日常生活活动能力的效果显著优于常规组(MD = 13.72, 95%CI 11.60~15.84, P < 0.001)。 结论 对脑卒中偏瘫患者上肢进行功能性电刺激干预,有助于进一步提高患者上肢运动功能和日常生活活动能力,建议临床推广使用。     

延续护理及时长对人工全膝关节置换术后患者康复效果影响的Meta分析

目的 通过Meta分析,系统评价延续护理及随访时间差异对人工全膝关节置换术后患者康复的影响。 方法 系统检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Embase、web of science、中国生物医学文献数据库、万方数据库、中国知网数据库中延续护理对人工全膝关节置换术后患者康复效果影响的随机对照试验,由2名研究人员独立筛选文献并提取资料,对符合质量标准的随机对照试验进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入13篇文献,包括1 211例研究对象。延续护理可提高患者膝关节功能[MD=8.02,95%CI (5.60,10.44),P<0.001],日常生活能力[MD=4.13,95%CI (2.50,5.75),P<0.001],以及生活质量的生理功能、躯体疼痛、总体健康、活力、社会功能、情感职能、心理健康维度;但随访时间是否超过6个月对以上结局指标的影响比较,差异无统计学意义。 结论 延续护理能促进全膝关节置换术后患者膝关节功能恢复、改善患者日常生活能力。最佳随访时间可能为术后6个月。     

水中运动治疗对脑卒中患者下肢运动功能及日常生活活动能力效果的Meta分析

目的 系统评价水中运动治疗对脑卒中患者下肢运动功能及日常生活活动能力的干预效果。 方法 检索Cochrane Library、PEDro、PubMed、EMBASE、Web of Knowledge、Web of Science、OVID、EBSCO、CMCI、CNKI、Wanfang和VIP数据库,筛选脑卒中患者水中运动治疗的随机对照试验(RCTs),进行方法学质量评价,提取相关数据,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。 结果 最终纳入23项RCTs,共861例患者。与对照组相比,水中运动治疗可改善患者Berg平衡量表评分(WMD = 4.61, 95%CI 3.79~5.43, P < 0.001)、计时起立-行走测试成绩(WMD = -1.56, 95%CI -3.07~-0.05, P < 0.05)、功能性前伸测试成绩(WMD = 2.69, 95%CI 1.21~4.16, P < 0.001)、压力中心移动速度(左右) (WMD = -1.38, 95%CI -2.72~-0.05, P < 0.05)、压力中心移动速度(前后) (WMD = -1.64, 95%CI -3.10~ -0.18, P < 0.05)、步速(SMD = 0.33, 95%CI 0.07~0.58, P < 0.05)、2分钟步行测试成绩(WMD = 12.75, 95%CI 4.17~21.34, P < 0.01)、功能性步行量表分级(WMD = 0.94, 95%CI 0.67~1.20, P < 0.001)、膝关节伸肌肌力(WMD = 4.30, 95%CI 1.53~7.07, P < 0.01)、膝关节屈肌肌力(WMD = 4.80, 95%CI 0.29~9.32, P < 0.05)和功能独立性测试评分(WMD = 6.12, 95%CI 3.98~8.27, P < 0.001),但对改良Barthel指数评分无明显改善作用(WMD = 2.92, 95%CI -6.74~12.58, P = 0.55)。 结论 水中运动治疗能够改善脑卒中患者的平衡功能、步行能力和下肢肌力,但对日常生活活动能力的效果不明显。     

机械通气患者吸气肌训练效果的Meta分析

目的 评价吸气肌训练在机械通气患者中的应用效果。方法 计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Web of Science、Embase、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国学术期刊全文数据库和万方数据库中有关机械通气患者吸气肌训练效果的随机对照试验,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果 最终纳入21篇文献,共1 014例患者。Meta分析结果显示,吸气肌训练能有效改善机械通气患者训练后最大吸气压[WMD=7.98,95%CI（7.22,8.73）,P<0.001]、训练前后最大吸气压差值[WMD=5.76,95%CI（4.23,7.29）,P<0.001]、动脉氧分压[WMD=9.55,95%CI（4.00,15.10）,P<0.001]和动脉血氧饱和度[WMD=2.00,95%CI（1.15,2.85）,P<0.001];缩短患者机械通气时间[SMD=-0.33,95%CI（-0.52,-0.14）,P<0.001]、脱机时间[SMD=-1.00,95%CI（-1.51,-0.48）,P<0.001]和ICU住院时间[WMD=-3.46,95%CI（-5.36,-1.56）,P<0.001];并降低病死率[RR=0.55,95%CI（0.33,0.91）,P=0.02],差异均具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 吸气肌训练能有效改善机械通气患者最大吸气压,提高呼吸肌肌力与耐力,改善患者氧合状态,从而缩短机械通气时间、脱机时间和ICU住院时间,并降低病死率。     

癌症患者高强度间歇性训练效果的Meta分析

目的 评价高强度间歇训练在癌症患者中的应用效果。方法 计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、CINAHL、中国知网、万方、维普数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库中关于高强度间歇训练应用于癌症患者的随机对照试验,检索时限为建库至2019年10月。经2名研究者筛选文献、提取信息与质量评价后,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果 最终纳入8项研究,共970例患者。Meta分析结果显示,高强度间歇训练能提高患者的峰值摄氧量和肌肉力量[SMD=0.23,95%CI（0.07,0.39）,P<0.01;MD=2.38,95%CI（1.08,3.68）,P<0.001],改善患者的癌因性疲乏情况[SMD=-0.26,95%CI（-0.48,-0.04）,P=0.02],提高患者的睡眠质量和生活质量[SMD=-0.25,95%CI（-0.47,-0.04）,P=0.02;SMD=0.28,95%CI（0.13,0.43）,P<0.001],对于焦虑、抑郁情绪作用效果不明显[SMD=0.05,95%CI（-0.12,0.22）,P=0.54;MD=-0.08,95%CI（-0.25,0.09）,P=0.34]。结论 高强度间歇训练有效增强癌症患者的峰值摄氧量和肌肉力量,改善患者的睡眠质量,减轻患者的癌因性疲乏,提高其生活质量。由于本研究所纳入的均为国外文献,且部分结局指标间存在异质性,故未来国内可开展小样本的试点研究,进一步探究高强度间歇训练在国内癌症患者中的适用性及可行性,为癌症患者实施高强度间歇训练提供更多循证依据。     

微课结合翻转课堂对手术室实习护生学习能力影响的Meta分析

目的 系统评价微课联合翻转课堂教学对手术室实习护生学习能力的影响。方法 检索中国知网、万方、维普、PubMed、Web of Science和Cochrane Library等数据库中与手术室实习护生带教模式相关的文献,检索时限为建库至2022年5月。由2 名研究员根据纳入和排除标准独立进行文献筛选、数据提取并进行质量评价,运用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果 本研究最终纳入9篇文献,共包含研究对象833人。Meta分析结果显示,微课结合翻转课堂教学法可显著提高手术室实习护生的理论成绩[MD=8.48,95%CI(1.61～15.35),P＜0.00001],操作技能成绩[MD=10.24,95%CI(4.26～16.23),P＜0.00001],实习护生对教学方法的满意度[RR=1.16,95%CI(1.10～1.22),P＜0.00001]以及护生的学习能力[RR=1.20,95%CI(1.08～1.33),P＜0.00001]。结论 微课联合翻转课堂教学法可以提高手术室实习护生的理论知识水平、操作技能及护生学习能力,护生认可度高。     

老年人功能性体适能的影响因素研究进展

目的 了解功能性体适能的定义、测试方法及老年人功能性体适能的影响因素,为进一步研究老年人功能性体适能特征、制定我国老年人功能性体适能常模及个性化干预措施提供参考。方法 检索中国知网、万方数据库、维普网、PubMed及Web of Science,对近年来国内外关于老年人（≥60岁）功能性体适能研究的文献进行筛选和内容提取,分析并综述其影响因素。结果 文章阐述了功能性体适能的定义及测试方法,从个体因素（包括年龄、性别、认知功能、体质指数）、疾病因素、城乡差异、运动因素及有无跌倒风险方面对老年人功能性体适能的影响因素进行了总结。结论 目前关于老年人功能性体适能的研究以干预性研究居多,而关于特征的研究较少。我国尚缺乏老年人功能性体适能常模以及针对性干预措施。今后可借鉴国外经验,针对研究中的可控因素,建立符合我国老年人特征的功能性体适能常模,以指导制定个性化干预措施,促进老年人健康老龄化。     

The Effects of a Whole-Body Advanced Vibration Exercise Program on Flexibility,Balance, and Strength in Seniors

ABSTRACT

Age-related losses in functional flexibility, balance, and strength contribute to physical disability and increased risk of falls among older adults. While the positive improvements due to balance and strength training are abundant in the research literature, there is little known about the potential impact of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise on flexibility, balance, and strength changes in older adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of WBV training on functional movements. Nineteen participants (5 males and 14 females; age range: 60–85 years; mean age: 71.4 ± 7.2 years) attended three 15-min training sessions per week, and were evaluated prior to starting WBV training, and again during the fourth and eighth weeks of the exercise program. All participants experienced positive changes in their functional movements, suggesting that WBV training is appropriate for promoting flexibility, balance, and strength in older adults.     

太极拳对中老年人跌倒及平衡功能影响的Meta分析

目的系统评价太极拳对中老年人跌倒及平衡功能的影响。方法计算机检索PubMed、EMbase、Web of Science、The Cochrane Library、CNKI和WanFang Data数据库,搜集太极拳对中老年人平衡功能及跌倒影响的随机对照试验(RCT),检索时限均为建库至2019年8月。由2名研究者独立筛选文献、提取资料并评价纳入研究的偏倚风险后,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入20个RCT,包括3 842例中老年人。Meta分析结果显示,太极拳组能减少跌倒率[RR=0.82,95%CI(0.75,0.90),P<0.000 1],且在单腿站立时间[MD=5.76,95%CI(0.62,10.90),P=0.03]、Berg评分[MD=1.04,95%CI(0.23,1.85),P=0.01]、起立步行测试[MD=-0.71,95%CI(-0.88,-0.54),P<0.000 01]、椅子站立测试[MD=0.87,95%CI(0.05,1.70),P=0.04]等指标的改善方面均优于对照组,其差异有统计学意义。结论当前证据表明,太极拳可改善中老年人平衡功能,减少跌倒率,对中老年人跌倒有一定的防治作用。受纳入研究数量和质量的限制,上述结论尚待更多高质量研究予以验证。     

平乐正骨“动静互补”平衡理论在老年股骨转子间骨折术后康复中应用临床观察

目的:探讨平乐正骨"动静互补"平衡理论在老年股骨转子间骨折患者功能康复中的应用效果。方法:选择符合标准的120例老年股骨转子间骨折患者,采用随机数字表法分为平衡组和常规组。平衡组60例采用平乐正骨"动静互补"平衡理论进行功能康复锻炼;常规组60例采用常规方法行功能康复锻炼。从围手术期并发症发生率及术后1、3、6个月Harris评分方面对其临床疗效进行比较分析。结果:115例患者获得完整随访,常规组失访3例,平衡组失访2例,平均随访为7.2±1.5个月。2组患者最后随访时骨折均达到临床愈合;2组患者围手术期并发症发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);2组病例术后1个月髋关节 Harris评分比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);3、6个月髋关节 Harris评分比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:以平乐正骨"动静互补"平衡理论为基础进行功能康复锻炼,可降低其围手术期并发症的发生率,提高髋关节功能的恢复,临床应用疗效满意,值得进一步研究与推广运用。     

Impact of Yoga on cognition and mental health among elderly: A systematic review

BackgroundCognitive decline and psychological health problems are the most frequently observed and under-treated issues among the elderly. Many studies have assessed the efficacy of Yoga on cognitive and mental health parameters among the elderly. However, up to date, there is no systematic review done to evaluate the role of Yoga-based interventions on cognition and mental health in the elderly.ObjectiveThis review evaluates the beneficial effect of Yoga in improving cognitive and mental health in the elderly.MethodologyA comprehensive search has performed on Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, and PsycINFO electronic database from their inception to January 2019. The literature search was constructed around search term for “mental health”, “cognition”, “yoga” and “elderly”. Out of 3388 records, we were considered only Randomized control trials (RCTs) with Yoga-based interventions on the older people for this review. Risk of bias was assessed using Delphi list and PEDro criteria.ResultsAfter filtering out irrelevant studies, in our search, we come across 13 RCTs, and they included in this systematic review. Of 13 RCTs, four studies assessed only cognitive parameters and five studies assessed only psychological parameters, and four studies evaluated both. Study quality was fair to moderate of included RCTs on the Delphi list and PEDro criteria. Maximum studied variables in cognition were executive functions, memory, attention, and language while in mental health depression, anxiety, stress, and mood. Yoga-based interventions have some beneficial effects on attention, executive functions among cognitive variables, and depression among mental health parameters among the elderly.ConclusionThe present review indicates that Yoga-based interventions have some positive evidence in improving attention, executive functions and memory of cognition, while depression in mental health compared to active control among the elderly. However, methodological limitations and small number of studies preclude confirming the potential benefits of Yoga-based interventions on cognition and mental health among the elderly. Further, this review strongly recommends more randomized control trials with standard study methodology, use of validated modules of Yoga intervention, and long term follow up to have definite conclusions.     

全身振动治疗改善脑瘫患者步行能力的Meta分析

目的:探究全身振动疗法(WBV)对于脑瘫患者的步行能力的疗效以及相关的作用机理分析。方法:本文检索的文献均来源于PUBMED、Google Scholar、EMBASE以及The Cochrane Library上,检索近十年来的文献报道,截止2016年12月,由2位评价员独立检索、筛选文献,对符合纳入标准的文献进行方法学质量评估并对各被研究患者的基本特征、干预措施、疗效观察指标等治疗进行提取和统计分析。结果:共纳入7个随机对照试验,Meta分析结果显示,WBV能够有效显著改善患者步行速度。结论:基于现有的荟萃分析结果,WBV能够改善脑瘫患者步行能力,应纳入常规的脑瘫患者物理治疗的参考治疗方法之一。     

The risk of being fearful or fearless of falls in older people: an empirical validation

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk of being fearful or fearless of falls in older people. METHODS: Using a force plate, postural control in different sensory and rhythmic conditions was measured in 263 community-dwelling older people. Other assessments included fear of falling, and handgrip strength. Fall incidence was assessed at baseline and during a one-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased lateral sway in near-tandem stance with eyes open (OR = 5.33; p < 0.01) and a worse performance on anteroposterior rhythmic weight shifts (OR = 0.65; p < 0.05) were related to falls. Univariate analyses revealed that older people with inappropriate high fear of falling according to their fall incidence had worse balance capacities on the rhythmic weight shifts (p < 0.05) but had similar static balance and physical capacities. Older people with inappropriate low fear of falling had a better hand grip (p < 0.05) but equally worse balance capacities than the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the importance of lateral stability in relation to falls. They also suggest a substantial impact of inappropriate fear of falling on physical performance. Inappropriate high fear of falling may result in worse performance during dynamic balance tests, whereas older people with inappropriate low fear seem to overrate their capacities because of higher strength.     

老年单、双膝痛骨关节炎患者的平衡功能及其跌倒风险对比分析

目的比较单膝痛和双膝痛骨关节炎老年患者的平衡功能特点及其跌倒风险。方法对30例老年无膝痛骨关节炎患者、30例老年单膝痛骨关节炎患者和32例老年双膝痛骨关节炎患者进行计时起立-行走测试(TUG)、静态姿势稳定性测试(PS)、动态姿势稳定极限性测试(LOS)以及动态跌倒风险测试(DFI)。结果单膝痛组TUG时间长于无膝痛组(P<0.05),双膝痛组明显长于无膝痛组(P<0.01),单、双膝痛组之间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。双膝痛组PS得分高于无膝痛组与单膝痛组(P<0.05),无膝痛组与单膝痛组之间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。双膝痛组的LOS完成时间明显长于无膝痛组和单膝痛组(P<0.01),无膝痛组与单膝痛组之间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。单、双膝痛组的DFI得分高于无膝痛组(P<0.05),双膝痛组高于单膝痛组(P<0.05)。结论老年单膝痛骨关节炎患者动态平衡功能的下降,存在高跌倒风险;老年双膝痛骨关节炎患者静态和动态平衡功能均下降,跌倒风险更高。     

老年人参与身体活动对改善健康、生活质量和福祉效果的系统综述

目的 以世界卫生组织的相关重要文件作为研究的理论基础,建立老年人身体活动和康复活动架构,对老年人参与身体活动的健康和康复效果进行系统综述。方法 采用主题检索方式,检索Web of Science、PubMed、EBSCO、Google Scholar、中国知网和万方数据库建库至2021年6月30日与身体活动领域老年人身体活动和健康、生活质量相关的文献,提取文献内容,对老年人参与身体活动改善健康、生活质量和福祉的效果进行综述。结果 研究涉及的老年人参与的身体活动类别有有氧活动、发展肌肉的活动、发展骨骼的活动、平衡性活动和综合活动。老年人参与身体活动改善健康和康复效果,主要体现在改善身体健康和心理健康、促进社会适应和活动行为与营养;健康和康复影响主要体现在提高健康寿命,改善生活质量和福祉。在改善身体健康方面,老年人参与身体活动可以改善体适能、慢性疾病和身体功能;在改善心理健康方面,可以改善认知功能、情绪、人格特质和睡眠等。影响老年人身体活动参与和健康、康复效果的因素主要有个人因素和环境因素。结论 老年人参与所有形式的身体活动都可以提供健康效益,可促进健康老龄化,改善身体健康和心理健康,促进社会适应和活动行为与营养,提高健康寿命,改善生活质量和福祉。身体活动是一项健康相关服务,应促进老年人科学合理的身体活动,将身体活动与康复服务结合,促进老年人的健康、功能、福祉和生活质量。     

Falls in the elderly: Part II, Balance, strength, and flexibility

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the balance, muscular strength, and flexibility of two groups of elderly adults: one with a history of falls (HF) and one with no history of falls (NHF). Subjects were 19 men and 36 women. Static and dynamic balance was determined by a one-foot stance balance test and a backwards walking test. Hip, knee, and ankle joint muscular strength were assessed on a Cybex Leg Press Dynamometer. A goniometer was used to determine hip, knee, and ankle joint range of motion (flexibility), ANOVA indicated a significant difference between the two groups for static balance (p less than .001), leg strength (p less than .01), and hip and ankle flexibility (p less than .01). The results suggest that balance, leg strength, and flexibility may be factors contributing to falls in the elderly.     

Effects of visual feedback rhythmic weight-shift training on hemiplegic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the balance function of hemiplegic stroke patients and to investigate whether visual feedback rhythmic weight-shift training following acute stroke can decrease falls among patients with hemiplegic stroke. DESIGN: A prospective study, using a Balance Master. SETTING: Hospital-based rehabilitation units. SUBJECTS: Fifty-two hemiplegic stroke patients (28 in the training group and 24 in the control group). INTERVENTIONS: Conventional stroke rehabilitation programme plus visual feedback rhythmic weight-shift training. Training effect was evaluated by assessing the static and dynamic balance performance as well as comparing the occurrence of falls in the training and control groups at six-month follow-up. MAIN MEASURES: Occurrence of falls; static balance in different sensory conditions; and dynamic balance performance, including on-axis velocity and directional control during rhythmic weight-shift. RESULTS: Significant improvement in dynamic balance performance was found in hemiplegic patients in the training group. The improvement was sustained for six months. With regarding to static balance function, no significant improvement was found. At six-month follow-up, 5 of 28 patients (17.8%) in the training group had fallen, compared with 10 of 24 patients (41.7%) in the control group. The occurrence of falls decreased, although not statistically significantly (p=0.059). CONCLUSIONS: Visual feedback rhythmic weight-shift training may improve dynamic balance function for hemiplegic stroke patients. The effects of training may be sustained for six months. The occurrence of falls decreased in the training group, but not statistically significantly.