Comparative Analysis of Fall Prevention Strategies: Assessing the Efficacy of Transfer Techniques versus Routine Physical Therapy in Wheelchair-Using Stroke Patient

Abstract

Stroke is often caused by high blood pressure or aneurysm. It leads to mobility issues such as hemiplegia, quadriplegia, and hemiparesis. Objective: To determine the effects of transfer techniques or routine physical therapy to prevent fall from wheelchair in private and public hospitals of Faisalabad and their comparison. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental trial. Through purposive sampling, 30 participants were selected and allocated to two groups i.e., group A (routine exercise group) and group B (transfer training group) with 15 participants in each group. Both groups received training for six weeks, with two training sessions per week. The Time Up and Go test, Balance Berg scale and Fall Efficacy Scale were used to access the fall ratio. SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyze and interpret results. Results: Mean age of the patient was 38.17±3.742. 63.3% were males and 36.7% were female patients. Within group analysis showed that both transfer techniques and routine physical therapy was effective in fall prevention with p-value < 0.05. Between group analyses showed that, there was statistically significant difference in both transfer techniques and routine physical therapy after the treatment of six weeks (p<0.05). Conclusions: Both transfer techniques and routine physical therapy were effective in fall prevention. But transfer techniques were found to be more effective in fall prevention than only the routine physical therapy and significant differences in the results were seen after the treatment in Fall Efficacy Scale (FES).