StrokeNCT07484581
Effect of Wobble Board Exercises Versus Swiss Ball Exercises on Balance and Functional Stability of Stroke Patients
A study testing Wobble Board Exercises and Swiss Ball Exercises in people with Stroke, run by Riphah International University.
Trial summary
A stroke is characterized as a condition in which the brain's main arteries get clogged, reducing oxygen flow and potentially leading to death or severe disability. There are various types of strokes, such as transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic stroke, and ischemic stroke. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke
- What is being tested?
- Wobble Board Exercises and Swiss Ball Exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 28 Feb 2026to 30 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants were required to have a history of stroke (>6-months)
- Age; 40-60 years old both male and female.
- Patients who have Ischemic or Hemorrhagic stroke
- Participants must tolerate at least 30 minutes of seated or standing activity to participate in the program progressively.
- Participants must have intact or corrected eyesight in order to use the equipment and visual balancing cues properly.
- The participant should be able to stand with little assistance and sit on their own.
Who cannot join
- Subjects with impaired visual or vestibular impairment and systemic illness
- Subjects unable to provide a proper medical history
- Subjects with neuropathies due to non-diabetic cause
- Subjects with any other neurological condition that can impair balance
- Subjects with any other musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain and instability
- Subjects with severe diabetes with foot ulcers or foot deformities
- Subjects with any kind of lower limb amputation.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
A stroke is characterized as a condition in which the brain's main arteries get clogged, reducing oxygen flow and potentially leading to death or severe disability. There are various types of strokes, such as transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic stroke, and ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is the most prevalent kind among them Strokes frequently alter postural balance. Balance is a complicated process that involves both static and dynamic elements. It significantly influences gait performance and community ambulation after strokes. Balance impairment is a common cause of falls in stroke survivors.
Post-stroke recovery is related to loss of control of one's body posture, uneven weight distribution, and lack of anticipatory and reactive balance, which hinder movement in the community and severely affect one's quality of life. The loss of balance is one of the major problems that stroke patients have to deal with and is considered the most serious part of the illness. Medically, it is characterized as the result of multiple factors such as: i) damage to brain areas responsible for processing vestibular input, ii) blockage for proprioceptive feedback, iii) poor coordination among the different brain regions involved in motor planning and execution and visual feedback. These factors, in turn, and together, block the person's body from moving stably during static and dynamic activities. More than 70% of stroke patients develop significant balance problems within the first year of the stroke and such problems, besides other factors, are the reason for the high occurrence of falls among them. Reports indicate that the fall rate in the stroke population is more than double that in the non-disabled elderly.
Read the detailed description
A stroke is categorized by a local neurological deficiency that progresses suddenly and persists longer than twenty-four hours, which led to death before time . Stroke, the disruption of blood supply to the brain, remains the top cause of debility that lasts for long time, creating considerable socioeconomic and healthcare issues all over the world. The ads need to show that this condition can sometimes lead to serious cases where the person is not able to control or feel anything, is not able to balance, or walk, and is not functioning independently. Over the last few years, research has shown that each year there are more than 12 million new strokes all over the world and many people who have survived stroke undergo through a long process of rehabilitation whereby they are only taught how to get back to functioning more or less and at the same time to be less prone to falling.
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Being tested
- Wobble Board Exercises, Swiss Ball Exercises
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Wobble Board ExercisesOther
Duration: 10 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Establish foundational balance in standing for mild-to-moderate spasticity levels.
Exercises:
- Static Standing: Participants stand on the wobble board with assistance as needed to develop balance without causing undue strain on spastic muscles.
- Gentle Weight Shifts: Controlled side-to-side and front-to-back shifts (10-15 repetitions) for proprioception and core activation, adjusted to individual spasticity levels.
Duration: 25 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Gradual increase in static balance exercises to enhance postural control without exceeding tolerance levels.
Exercises:
- Static Balance Drills: Standing on the wobble board with increasing independence, focusing on postural alignment and balance.
- Heel-to-Toe Walking: Slow, controlled steps (10 repetitions) on a stable surface to promote coordination and foot placement control.
- Controlled Weight Shifts:
Swiss Ball ExercisesOther
Duration: 10 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Build initial seated balance and core activation on the Swiss ball.
Exercises:
- Seated Balance: Sitting on Swiss ball to activate the core without overstressing spastic or weak muscles.
- Gentle Bouncing: Slow, controlled bounces (10-15 repetitions) to improve dynamic seated stability within a safe range for those with mild to moderate spasticity Duration: 25 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Increase core stability and seated balance while avoiding excessive muscle fatigue.
Exercises:
- Seated Balance Drills: Static seated balance drills to reinforce postural control.
- Pelvic Tilts: Gentle, slow tilts (10 repetitions per side) to engage core stabilizers without excessive hip muscle strain.
- Simple Reaches: Reaching exercises (10 repetitions per direction) that challenge seated stability in a controlled range of motion.
Duration: 30 minutes per session
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Wobble Board Exercises | Active comparator | Exercises:
* Static Standing: Participants stand on the wobble board with assistance as needed to develop balance without causing undue strain on spastic muscles.
* Gentle Weight Shifts: Controlled side-to-side and front-to-back shifts (10-15 repetitions) for proprioception and core activation, adjusted to individual spasticity levels.
* Static Balance Drills: Standing on the wobble board with increasing independence, focusing on postural alignment and balance.
* Heel-to-Toe Walking: Slow, controlled steps (10 repetitions) on a stable surface to promote coordination and foot placement control.
* Controlled Weight Shifts: Receives: Other: Wobble Board Exercises |
| Swiss Ball Exercises | Experimental | Seated Balance: Sitting on Swiss ball to activate the core without overstressing spastic or weak muscles.
* Gentle Bouncing: Slow, controlled bounces (10-15 repetitions) to improve dynamic seated stability within a safe range for those with mild to moderate spasticity Single-Leg Balance (Assisted): Alternating seated balance on one leg (10-15 repetitions each leg), ensuring safety for spasticity concerns.
* Bridges: Controlled bridging to improve core and glute strength without stressing lower limb spasticity.
* Side Bends: Slow side bends (10-15 repetitions per side) to activate lateral stabilizers without excess strain. Receives: Other: Swiss Ball Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
(FSST) Four-Square Step Test
The Four-Square Step Test (FSST) is a dynamic evaluation tool for balance and coordination in which participants step forward, sideways, and backward over four canes set in a cross pattern. Score is determined by the time that it takes to finish; two trials are made, and the best time is noted. Research has confirmed its reproducibility and validity, such as musculoskeletal problems, neurological illnesses, and elderly adults. With a cut-off period of 15 seconds, it accurately detects fall risk, with older persons having a larger chance of falling
Measured: 2 to 4 mins
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
An instrument that is frequently used to evaluate an adult's balance and fall risk is the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). It has 14 tasks with a maximum score of 56, and each activity is rated on a scale of 0 to 4. Improved balance is indicated by higher scores. Low fall risk is indicated by scores 41-56, medium fall risk by scores 21-40, and high fall risk by scores 0-20. Particularly in stroke rehabilitation, it predicts functional results and correlates well with other balance measures
Measured: 2 to 4 mins
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2026
- Study start28 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StrokeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Sobia Kanwal, tDPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484581
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- S24C14G37001
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Wobble Board Exercises Versus Swiss Ball Exercises on Balance and Functional Stability of Stroke Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484581
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- S24C14G37001
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
A stroke is characterized as a condition in which the brain's main arteries get clogged, reducing oxygen flow and potentially leading to death or severe disability. There are various types of strokes, such as transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic stroke, and ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is the most prevalent kind among them Strokes frequently alter postural balance. Balance is a complicated process that involves both static and dynamic elements. It significantly influences gait performance and community ambulation after strokes. Balance impairment is a common cause of falls in stroke survivors.
Post-stroke recovery is related to loss of control of one's body posture, uneven weight distribution, and lack of anticipatory and reactive balance, which hinder movement in the community and severely affect one's quality of life. The loss of balance is one of the major problems that stroke patients have to deal with and is considered the most serious part of the illness. Medically, it is characterized as the result of multiple factors such as: i) damage to brain areas responsible for processing vestibular input, ii) blockage for proprioceptive feedback, iii) poor coordination among the different brain regions involved in motor planning and execution and visual feedback. These factors, in turn, and together, block the person's body from moving stably during static and dynamic activities. More than 70% of stroke patients develop significant balance problems within the first year of the stroke and such problems, besides other factors, are the reason for the high occurrence of falls among them. Reports indicate that the fall rate in the stroke population is more than double that in the non-disabled elderly.
Detailed description
A stroke is categorized by a local neurological deficiency that progresses suddenly and persists longer than twenty-four hours, which led to death before time . Stroke, the disruption of blood supply to the brain, remains the top cause of debility that lasts for long time, creating considerable socioeconomic and healthcare issues all over the world. The ads need to show that this condition can sometimes lead to serious cases where the person is not able to control or feel anything, is not able to balance, or walk, and is not functioning independently. Over the last few years, research has shown that each year there are more than 12 million new strokes all over the world and many people who have survived stroke undergo through a long process of rehabilitation whereby they are only taught how to get back to functioning more or less and at the same time to be less prone to falling.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Wobble Board Exercises | Active comparator | Other: Wobble Board ExercisesExercises: * Static Standing: Participants stand on the wobble board with assistance as needed to develop balance without causing undue strain on spastic muscles. * Gentle Weight Shifts: Controlled side-to-side and front-to-back shifts (10-15 repetitions) for proprioception and core activation, adjusted to individual spasticity levels. * Static Balance Drills: Standing on the wobble board with increasing independence, focusing on postural alignment and balance. * Heel-to-Toe Walking: Slow, controlled steps (10 repetitions) on a stable surface to promote coordination and foot placement control. * Controlled Weight Shifts: |
| Swiss Ball Exercises | Experimental | Other: Swiss Ball ExercisesSeated Balance: Sitting on Swiss ball to activate the core without overstressing spastic or weak muscles. * Gentle Bouncing: Slow, controlled bounces (10-15 repetitions) to improve dynamic seated stability within a safe range for those with mild to moderate spasticity Single-Leg Balance (Assisted): Alternating seated balance on one leg (10-15 repetitions each leg), ensuring safety for spasticity concerns. * Bridges: Controlled bridging to improve core and glute strength without stressing lower limb spasticity. * Side Bends: Slow side bends (10-15 repetitions per side) to activate lateral stabilizers without excess strain. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participants were required to have a history of stroke (>6-months)
- Age; 40-60 years old both male and female.
- Patients who have Ischemic or Hemorrhagic stroke
- Participants must tolerate at least 30 minutes of seated or standing activity to participate in the program progressively.
- Participants must have intact or corrected eyesight in order to use the equipment and visual balancing cues properly.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Subjects with impaired visual or vestibular impairment and systemic illness
- Subjects unable to provide a proper medical history
- Subjects with neuropathies due to non-diabetic cause
- Subjects with any other neurological condition that can impair balance
- Subjects with any other musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain and instability
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Wobble Board ExercisesDuration: 10 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Establish foundational balance in standing for mild-to-moderate spasticity levels. Exercises: * Static Standing: Participants stand on the wobble board with assistance as needed to develop balance without causing undue strain on spastic muscles. * Gentle Weight Shifts: Controlled side-to-side and front-to-back shifts (10-15 repetitions) for proprioception and core activation, adjusted to individual spasticity levels. Duration: 25 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Gradual increase in static balance exercises to enhance postural control without exceeding tolerance levels. Exercises: * Static Balance Drills: Standing on the wobble board with increasing independence, focusing on postural alignment and balance. * Heel-to-Toe Walking: Slow, controlled steps (10 repetitions) on a stable surface to promote coordination and foot placement control. * Controlled Weight Shifts: | Other | Wobble Board Exercises |
| Swiss Ball ExercisesDuration: 10 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Build initial seated balance and core activation on the Swiss ball. Exercises: * Seated Balance: Sitting on Swiss ball to activate the core without overstressing spastic or weak muscles. * Gentle Bouncing: Slow, controlled bounces (10-15 repetitions) to improve dynamic seated stability within a safe range for those with mild to moderate spasticity Duration: 25 minutes per session Frequency: 3 sessions per week Objective: Increase core stability and seated balance while avoiding excessive muscle fatigue. Exercises: * Seated Balance Drills: Static seated balance drills to reinforce postural control. * Pelvic Tilts: Gentle, slow tilts (10 repetitions per side) to engage core stabilizers without excessive hip muscle strain. * Simple Reaches: Reaching exercises (10 repetitions per direction) that challenge seated stability in a controlled range of motion. Duration: 30 minutes per session | Other | Swiss Ball Exercises |
Primary outcome
(FSST) Four-Square Step Test
Time frame: 2 to 4 mins
The Four-Square Step Test (FSST) is a dynamic evaluation tool for balance and coordination in which participants step forward, sideways, and backward over four canes set in a cross pattern. Score is determined by the time that it takes to finish; two trials are made, and the best time is noted. Research has confirmed its reproducibility and validity, such as musculoskeletal problems, neurological illnesses, and elderly adults. With a cut-off period of 15 seconds, it accurately detects fall risk, with older persons having a larger chance of falling
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
Time frame: 2 to 4 mins
An instrument that is frequently used to evaluate an adult's balance and fall risk is the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). It has 14 tasks with a maximum score of 56, and each activity is rated on a scale of 0 to 4. Improved balance is indicated by higher scores. Low fall risk is indicated by scores 41-56, medium fall risk by scores 21-40, and high fall risk by scores 0-20. Particularly in stroke rehabilitation, it predicts functional results and correlates well with other balance measures
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Stroke
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ELATE Study: Evaluating Large-vessel Acute Thrombectomy in Extended Time Window
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Web-Based Tele-Rehabilitation Using Action Observation and Mirror Therapy for Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Early Motor-Cognitive Integrative Training on Cognitive and Motor Performance in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Subarachnoid Aneurysm Hemorrhage
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Sobia Kanwal, tDPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Wobble Board Exercises and Swiss Ball Exercises in people with Stroke, run by Riphah International University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Imran Amjad, PhD (03324390125, imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
(FSST) Four-Square Step Test (time frame: 2 to 4 mins). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Mar 2026.