Background and Aim: One of the most common defects after stroke is deficit in trunk control and balance which can lead to disability or dependency in many functional activities in life. Many therapeutic approacheswere used in the stroke rehabilitation, but there is not any unique accepted approach in this field yet. However there are many evidences that show task-oriented practice for neuro-movement rehabilitation can be efficient. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intensive task-oriented balance practices on functional balance and mobility in patients with chronic stroke.

Materials and Methods: This was an interventional - quasi-experimental study on 13 patients (4 women, 9 men, mean age 55.07 ± 8.41) with chronic stroke which were selected according to inclusion criteria. The intervention included 10 days of intensive practice during 2 weeks ,5 days per week and 3 hours a day. The assessments (Berg Balance Scale, Time Up-Go) were performed before and after the intervention.

Results: Intensive task-oriented balance training in patients with chronic stroke significantly increased the functional balance (p=0.005) and reduced the time of functional mobility (p=0.001)

Conclusion: The results showed that intensive task-oriented balance training can improve functional balance and functional mobility. Because this study was done only in one group, conducting more studies with appropriate control group is suggested.it is recommended to follow up the long lasting effects of training.

 Background and Aim: Total Hip Replacement (THR) is done comprehensively all over the world. Despite the effects of braces on control of THR complications , few studies have been performed on this subject. The purpose of this study was to evaluate immediate effect of hip abduction brace on mobility and functional balance of patients with THR.

 Materials and Methods: Eight men and nine women with THR participated in this study. Mobility and functional balance were assessed and compared with and without brace conditions by means of TUG, FR and Berg tests.

  Results : A significantly higher TUG, FR and Berg scores were seen in brace condition compared to without brace situation (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion: Hip abduction brace can increase mobility and functional balance in patients with THR.

  Keywords: Total Hip Replacement, Functional balance, Functional Mobility, Hip Abduction Brace

Background and Aim : One of the most common defects observed after stroke is deficit in trunk control and balance which can lead to disability or dependency in many functional activities in life. Many therapeutic approaches are used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, but there is no any unique accepted approach in this field yet. However there are many evidences that show task-oriented practice for neuro-movement rehabilitation can be efficient. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intensive task-oriented balance practices on functional balance and mobility in patients with chronic stroke.

Materials and Methods: This study was an intervention - quasi-experimental with chronic stroke on 13 patients (study on 4 women, 9 men, mean age 55/07 ± 8/41)which were selected according to inclusion criteria. The intervention included 10 days of intensive practice during 2 weeks , 5 days per week for 3 hours a day. The assessments (Berg Balance Scale, Time Up and Go) were performed before and after the intervention.

Results: Intensive task-oriented balance training in patients with chronic stroke significantly increased the functional balance (p=0/005) and reduced the time of functional mobility (p=0/001)

Conclusion: The results showed that intensive task-oriented balance training can improve functional balance and functional mobility. Because this study was done only in one group, conducting more studies with appropriate control group is suggested. Follow up were recommended in order to show durability effect for future researches.

Key word s: Stroke, Functional balance, Functional mobility, Task- oriented approach, Intensive practice