Effects of Dual Task Training on Stair Climbing Balance and Mobility Among Post Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke impairments in balance and mobility can restrict safe stair negotiation, particularly when cognitive or secondary motor demands are performed simultaneously. Dual-task stair training may more closely reproduce the demands of everyday mobility than conventional single-task rehabilitation. Objective: To compare the effects of dual-task stair training with conventional physiotherapy on dynamic balance and stair-climbing performance in individuals with stroke. Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in Shahid General Clinic and Physiotherapy Centre vehari, Pakistan. Fifty-eight participants were randomized equally to dual-task stair training or conventional physiotherapy; 56 completed post-intervention assessment. Both groups received 45-minute supervised sessions three times weekly for eight weeks. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Mini-BESTest, and stair performance using unloaded and loaded Timed Stair Tests. Within-group changes were examined using paired-samples t-tests, and post-intervention outcomes were compared using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA. Results: Adjusted Mini-BESTest scores were 23.7 versus 19.5 points, with a between-group difference of 4.2 points (p<0.001). Adjusted unloaded TST times were 13.3 versus 17.0 seconds (difference −3.7 seconds; p=0.002), while loaded TST times were 16.2 versus 21.1 seconds (difference −4.9 seconds; p<0.001), favoring dual-task training. Conclusion: Dual-task stair training produced greater short-term improvements in dynamic balance and stair-climbing performance than conventional physiotherapy among the participants assessed