Effect of adding systematic desensitization to goal-directed paradigm on risk of falling in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Improvement in rehabilitation outcomes for patients suffering from chronic stroke can be attained through systematic desensitization of their fear of falling, which in turn reduces the risk of falling.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of adding systematic desensitization to a goal-directed paradigm on functional performance, balance, risk of falling, and fear of falling among chronic ischemic stroke patients.

Methodology: Two equally sized groups, each comprising 40 stroke patients of both sexes, were randomly divided.