Combined Effects of Rhythmic Breathing and Balance Training on Balance and Trunk Control in Stroke Patients

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 45 to 65 years
• All sexes
• No healthy volunteers
• Adult, Older adult

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Official title: Combined Effects of Rhythmic Breathing Exercises and Balance Training on Balance and Trunk Control in Patients With Stroke

Conditions

Sub-acute Stroke

Being tested

rhythmic breathing exercise, Balance training, conventional physical therapy

Keywords

Rhythmic breathing exercises, Balance training, Berg balance scale, Stroke

Medical subject headings

Stroke

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

• rhythmic breathing exerciseOther

  Also called Balance training, conventional physical therapy

  The protocol for Rhythmic Breathing Exercises (22) is given as:

  Position: Supine with knees and hips slightly flexed, in a comfortable position Inhalation Phase: Deep inhalation with conscious outward movement of the abdomen; pause and hold for 10 seconds Exhalation Phase: Slow exhalation with conscious abdominal retraction, maintaining a slow and deep rhythm Hand Placement: One hand on the chest, one on the abdomen to monitor movement Breathing Cue: Only the hand on the abdomen should move during breathing; the chest should remain still Repetitions: 3 sets of 10 repetitions Rest Between Sets: 1 minute Total Duration: Limited to 10 minutes

• Balance trainingOther

  Sitting-to-Standing: Performed using a stool with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Lateral Stepping: Walk 3 meters back and forth sideways with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Forward and Backward Stepping: 5 times with right leg stepping first, 5 times with left leg stepping first with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Forward Walking: Walk 3 meters back and forth, turn right at one end and left at the other wit 3 sets of 5 repetitions Stepping Up and Down: 5 times with right leg stepping first, 5 times with left leg stepping first with 3 sets of 5 repetitions Throwing and Catching Ball: Using a soft volleyball with 3 sets of 5 repetitions

• conventional physical therapyOther

  Warm-Up: Active/passive ROM exercises for upper and lower limbs, 3 days/week for 10-15 minutes Trunk Control Exercises: Bridging, pelvic tilts, seated trunk rotations, reaching tasks with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 20 minutes Strengthening Exercises: Resistance band work for lower limb extensors, upper limb flexors with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 15-20 minutes Stretching: Hamstrings, calf, hip flexors, upper trapezius with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 10 minutes Postural Control Training: Use of Swiss ball, sitting on unstable surfaces, dual-task exercises with 3 sets of 5 repetitions for 3 days/week for 15-20 minutes Gait Training: Parallel bar walking, overground ambulation, obstacle walking 3 sets of repetitions for 3 days/week for 15-20 minutes Cool Down: Deep breathing, guided relaxation with 3 days/week for 5-10 minutes Education: Fall prevention, safe transfers, home exercise program with weekly session for 10-15 minutes

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

1. Berg Balance Scale

   The BBS is a 14-item measure used to assess functional mobility, static balance, and dynamic balance excluding ambulation. However, BBS scores have also been correlated with stroke patient's motor and functional performance. Scores range on an ordinal scale from zero (indicating need for assistance to minimally perform the task) to four (indicating independent performance of the task); with a maximum possible score of 56. Historically, a score below 45/56 is typically indicative of increased fall risk.

   Measured: Baseline and 8th week

2. Trunk Impairment Scale

   The original version of Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) was developed by in 2004. It comprises 17 items (scored on a 2, 3 or 4-point ordinal scale) and evaluates static and dynamic sitting, balance and trunk coordination. The total score ranges from minimum 0 to maximum 23 points, a higher score indicating a better performance.

   Measured: Baseline and 8th week

3. Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke

   The Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) is a scale developed specifically for stroke patients. It examines the patient's ability to maintain or change a given lying, sitting or standing posture, is easy to administer in the clinic and applicable to all patients, even those with very poor postural performance. It contains 12 items of varying difficulty for assessing ability to maintain or change a given lying, sitting, or standing posture. The items are assessed on a 4 level (0-3 point) rating scale. The score ranges from a minimum of 0 (worst performance) to a maximum of 36 (best performance).

   Measured: Baseline and 8th week

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

1. First posted8 May 2026
2. Study start5 May 2026
3. Primary completion5 Jul 2026 (estimated)
4. Study completion15 Jul 2026 (estimated)

Resources

• Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
• Other trials for Sub-acute StrokeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
• 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.