Balance Impairments in Stroke Patients

Stroke is a pathology caused by disturbances in the brain's arterial circulation, leading to high morbidity rates. Individuals who experience a stroke often face neurological impairments such as motor, sensory, and cognitive dysfunctions, which negatively impact muscle strength, postural control, sensation, and gait, reducing their independence in daily activities. Balance deficits in stroke patients increase the risk of falls and contribute to a fear of falling. Improving balance control is a key goal in rehabilitation. The importance of the trunk in balance control and rehabilitation is well-established, as it plays a central role in maintaining stability. In individuals with restricted lumbar mobility, weakened trunk muscles and altered muscle activation can lead to a reduction in proprioception, hip strategy, and spinal stabilization, further impairing balance. Combining conventional exercise approaches with other rehabilitation techniques has been shown to yield more effective outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effects of Mulligan-based lumbar spine mobilization on balance, trunk position sense, and gait in individuals with stroke.