OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of integrating a specific balance-training program focused on static balance to the conventional rehabilitation program on dynamic balance, risk of falls, and activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults post-stroke. DESIGN: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Institutional Intermediate Care Hospital. SUBJECTS: Post-stroke older adults in a subacute phase without cognitive impairment, aged 65 years and older, exhibiting trunk control in a seated position for 30 seconds without supporting the arms. INTERVENTION: The control group underwent the usual treatment, consisting of 60-minute physiotherapy sessions, 5 days per week, for 30 days. The experimental group integrated into the usual treatment 15 minutes of the balance-training program (45 min plus 15 min). MAIN MEASURES: Balance impairment (Mini-BESTest and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), risk of falls (BBS), and independence for ADLs (Barthel Index)) were assessed at baseline, 15 and 30 days after the start of interventions. RESULTS: Seventy-one post-stroke patients (77.7 +/- 9.0 years, 49.2% women) were randomized into the experimental (n = 35) or control (n = 36) groups. The experimental group showed improved dynamic balance at day 15 (Mini-BESTest: 2.90 (1.05 to 4.77), p = 0.003; BBS: 4.31 (1.41 to 7.23), p = 0.004) and day 30 (Mini-BESTest: 6.06 (2.85 to 9.27), p < 0.001; BBS: 8.24 (2.96 to 13.53), p = 0.003), as well as greater independence levels (11 (2.75 to 19.23), p = 0.010) compared to the control group. The control group showed higher risk of falls on day 15 (p = 0.035) and day 30 (p = 0.003) than the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, easily reproducible approach designed by and for the older adult to rehabilitate post-stroke impairments effectively improved balance, functional gait, risk of falls, and ADLs.

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