Enhancing sensory acuity and balance function using near-sensory biofeedback-based perturbation intervention for individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Bacground: Interventions addressing balance dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI) only target compensatory aspects and do not investigate perceptual mechanisms such as sensory acuity.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel intervention that integrates sensory acuity with a perturbation-based approach for improving the perception and functional balance after TBI.

Methods: A two-group design was implemented to evaluate the effect of a novel, perturbation-based balance intervention. The intervention group (n = 5) performed the intervention with the sinusoidal (0.33, 0.5, and 1 Hz) perturbations to the base of support with amplitudes derived using our novel outcome of sensory acuity - perturbation perception threshold (PPT). The efficacy is evaluated using changes in PPT and functional outcomes (Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed-up and Go (TUG), 5-meter walk test (5MWT), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT)).

Results: There was a significant post-intervention change in PPT for 0.33 Hz (p = 0.021). Additionally, clinically and statistically significant improvements in TUG (p = 0.03), 5MWT (p = 0.05), and 10MWT (p = 0.04) were observed.

Conclusions: This study provides preliminary efficacy of a novel, near-sensory balance intervention for individuals with TBI. The use of PPT is suggested for a comprehensive understanding and treatment of balance dysfunction. The promising results support the investigation in a larger cohort.