Ballistic resistance training has a similar or better effect on mobility than non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation in people with a traumatic brain injury: a randomised trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine if ballistic resistance training is more effective than non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation for improving mobility, strength, and balance in people recovering from traumatic brain injury, and whether improved mobility enhances health-related quality of life.
Results Summary
Ballistic resistance training showed a modest but statistically significant improvement in mobility (3 points higher on the HiMAT scale) compared to non-ballistic training, with greater benefits for those with severe mobility limitations. Secondary outcomes (walking speed, strength, balance, quality of life) showed similar effects between groups by 6 months.
Population
144 people with neurological movement disorders affecting mobility due to traumatic brain injury.
Effective Dosage
Three 60-minute sessions per week.
Duration
3 months of intervention, with follow-up at 6 months.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ballistic resistance training | increase | mobility measured using the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) | people with a neurological movement disorder affecting mobility as a result of traumatic brain injury | 3 points (95% CI 0 to 6) higher | scored higher on the 54-point HiMAT than the control group | #1 |
ballistic resistance training | increase | mobility measured using the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) | people with a neurological movement disorder affecting mobility as a result of traumatic brain injury | 3 points (95% CI -1 to 6) higher at 6 months | remained higher on the HiMAT than the control group | #2 |
ballistic resistance training | decrease | balance | people with a neurological movement disorder affecting mobility as a result of traumatic brain injury | transient decrement at 3 months | had a transient decrement in balance | #3 |
ballistic resistance training | no change | walking speed, strength, balance and quality of life | people with a neurological movement disorder affecting mobility as a result of traumatic brain injury | similar effects by 6 months | had similar effects on all secondary outcomes by 6 months | #4 |
ballistic resistance training | increase | mobility measured using the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) | Participants with a baseline HiMAT < 27 | 6 points (1 to 10) on the HiMAT | gained greater benefit | #5 |
ballistic resistance training | increase | mobility | people with traumatic brain injury | similar or better effect | has a similar or better effect on mobility than non-ballistic training | #6 |
QUESTIONS: In people recovering from traumatic brain injury, is a 3-month ballistic resistance training program targeting three lower limb muscle groups more effective than non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation for improving mobility, strength and balance? Does improved mobility translate to better health-related quality of life? DESIGN: A prospective, multicentre, randomised trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded measurement. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 144 people with a neurological movement disorder affecting mobility as a result of traumatic brain injury. INTERVENTION: For 3 months, the experimental group had three 60-minute sessions of non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation per week replaced by ballistic resistance training. The control group had non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation of equivalent time. The non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation consisted of balance exercises, lower limb stretching, conventional strengthening exercises, cardiovascular fitness training and gait training. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was mobility measured using the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT). Secondary outcomes were walking speed, strength, balance and quality of life. They were measured at baseline (0 months), after completion of the 3-month intervention (3 months) and 3 months after cessation of intervention (6 months). RESULTS: After 3 months of ballistic resistance training, the experimental group scored 3 points (95% CI 0 to 6) higher on the 54-point HiMAT than the control group and remained 3 points (95% CI -1 to 6) higher at 6 months. Although there was a transient decrement in balance at 3 months in the experimental group, the interventions had similar effects on all secondary outcomes by 6 months. Participants with a baseline HiMAT < 27 gained greater benefit from ballistic training: 6 points (1 to 10) on the HiMAT. CONCLUSION: This randomised trial shows that ballistic resistance training has a similar or better effect on mobility than non-ballistic training in people with traumatic brain injury. It may be better targeted towards those with more severe mobility limitations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12611001098921.