ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A305 EFFECTS OF NEUROREHABILITATION PROGRAMS WITH REACTIVE REACHING TRAINING ON TRUNK CONTROL AND FALLING FEAR IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE

Abstract Background and aims Few studies have examined reactive balance training (RBT) in patients with stroke, and none have used light-based reactive exercises to improve trunk control. This study aimed to investigate the effects of neurorehabilitation interventions combined with different RBT protocols on trunk control and fear of falling in stroke patients. Methods Patients (n=30) who were cognitively intact, independently ambulant, had elbow flexor spasticity ≤2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale, and ≥3 months post-stroke were randomly assigned to three groups. All participants received a 7-weeks Bobath Concept-based neurorehabilitation programme. Groups 1 and 2 performed RBT using a light-based system, with Group 1 moving rapidly and Group 2 pausing for 5s on each target. Group 3 performed the standard functional reaching exercises. The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) were administered before and after treatment. This study was supported by a Scientific Research Project of University. Results The groups were similar in terms of diagnosis duration and baseline measurements (p>0.05). MFES scores improved significantly in all groups (p<0.05). Group 2 showed significant gains in the TIS-Dynamic Sitting Balance and TIS-Total scores, whereas Group 3 showed improvements in the TIS-Total score (p<0.05). No significant changes were found in other TIS sub-parameters nor between-groups (p>0.05). Conclusions RBT may improve the ability of patients to respond to unexpected situation demands and reduce fear of falling. Although different RBT protocols produce similar effects, performing exercises in static postures that promote trunk co-contraction provides meaningful improvements in trunk control and fall-prevention reactions. Conflict of interest Fatma Nur ALCIN: No conflict of interest; this study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship of Pamukkale University (2024SABE002). Nilufer CETISLI-KORKMAZ: No conflict of interest; this study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship of Pamukkale University (2024SABE002). Hande CORUT: Nothing to disclose. Hilal OZKAN: Nothing to disclose.