Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Postural instability while performing daily activity is main problem to individuals with stroke. Increased postural sway is related to postural instability resulting in falls. Internal and external foci of attention were used to decline postural sway of individuals with neurological deficits. Electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback may be efficiency device for clinical training which external focus of attention. The purpose of this study is to explore whether external (EEG biofeedback) and internal foci of attention with unstable surface would affect postural sway in chronic stroke. Twenty-one hospitalized people with stroke were participated. Postural sway was measured at three conditions randomly while participants stood on the force platform with unstable surface. The conditions were control (quiet stand), internal focus of attention (focus on the own body), and external focus of attention (focus on the outside of body by EEG biofeedback). The external focus of attention resulted in less postural sway relative to both the internal focusof attention and control conditions. There was no significant difference between the external and internal foci of attention on anteroposterior sway velocity. In conclusions, the results are suggested that external focus of attention better to postural control than internal focus of attention or control condition during standing for individuals with stroke. The outcomes have possibly important for intervention by clinicians and the reduction of postural instability in stroke patients.
Keywords: Attention, Balance, Electroencephalogram, Feedback, Stroke