Effects of Sensorimotor Stimulation Program with and Without Routine Physical Therapy on Balance and Cognitive Performance in Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The term "Traumatic brain injury (TBI)" has replaced the phrase "head injury." A disturbance in neuronal activity caused by the application of a quick, abrupt, and unbearable mechanical force is classified as traumatic brain injury. Every year, around 1.7 billion new cases of TBI are recorded worldwide. Objectives: To compare the effects of Routine physical therapy and Routine physical therapy along with Sensorimotor stimulation program on balance and cognitive performance in patients with mild traumatic brain injury. Methods: A total of 64 patients were divided into two groups, each including 32 people. Those in Group A got routine physiotherapy, whereas patients in Group B also received sensorimotor stimulation. Patients were randomized to groups at random using a lottery system. The study was intended as a single RCT with blinding. The duration of the intervention was sixteen weeks. Data was gathered on the first day prior to the implementation of treatments, then again after eight weeks, and finally after sixteen weeks. The obtained data was evaluated using the Berg balance scale and the Rancho loss amigos scale. Results: In group A, balance before treatment was 21.90±5.43 and after treatment of 8th and 16th weeks it was 25.93 ± 4.977 and 39.62 ± 5.68. Mean of cognition before treatment was 5.15 ± 0.94 and after treatment of 8th and 16th weeks it was 5.468 ± 0.802 and 5.90 ± 0.85 with p-value < 0.05. In group B balance before treatment was 21.43 ± 5.17 and after treatment of 8th and 16th weeks it was 27.12 ± 6.59 or 52.78 ± 2.70, mean of cognition before treatment was 5.12 ± 1.00 and after treatment of 8th and 16th weeks it was 6.250 ± 0.87 and 7.70 ± 0.4 with p-value < 0.05. Conclusions: The study concluded that both treatment plans were effective for balance and cognitive performance but sensorimotor along with physical therapy significantly better outcomes as compared to conventional physical therapy treatment.