Top 7 Exercises To Improve Balance after Stroke

Balance problems after stroke significantly impact recovery, with peer-reviewed research highlighting that up to 83% of stroke survivors experience impaired balance, increasing fall risk and limiting independence.

Studies in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair emphasize early intervention with targeted physical therapy, such as task-specific balance training, can improve stability and quality of life. Incorporating evidence-based exercises, like Tai Chi or virtual reality-based rehabilitation, has shown promising results in restoring balance and preventing falls. For effective stroke recovery, consult a specialist to design a personalized rehabilitation plan.

A stroke can drastically alter life, often leaving survivors grappling with debilitating balance impairments that steal independence and fuel anxiety. Yet, the path to Stroke recovery is paved with hope and proven strategies.

Why Home-Based Physiotherapy can play important role in Stroke Recovery

The comfort and familiarity of one's own home provide an ideal environment for stroke rehabilitation. It allows for personalized interventions directly addressing daily challenges, reducing the stress of travel and integrating exercises seamlessly into life. This approach is particularly beneficial for elderly care and those requiring post-surgery physiotherapy, minimizing disruption and maximizing adherence.

The Power of Specialised home Physiotherapy

A specialist physiotherapist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), possesses the experience to craft a bespoke rehabilitation plan. Their experience of working with stroke patients, and equipment and adaptation ensures every exercise is safe, effective, and perfectly tailored to your unique recovery stage.

Detailed Exercise Breakdown & Research Insight

1. Seated Weight Shifts:

• Description: While seated, gently lean your trunk from side to side, then forwards and backwards, maintaining control.
• Research Relevance: Studies emphasize the importance of trunk control as a foundation for balance. Core stability training is a recognized component of stroke rehabilitation (Wu et al., 2023).

2. Sit-to-Stand Training:

• Description: Practice rising from a seated position to standing, and then sitting back down.
• Research Relevance: This functional exercise is directly linked to improved balance and lower limb strength, crucial for daily activities and fall prevention (Hu et al., 2024).

3. Standing Weight Shifts:

• Description: While standing (with support initially), shift your weight slowly from one foot to the other, or forwards and backwards.
• Research Relevance: Helps to re-educate the somatosensory system and improve postural control, directly impacting dynamic balance needed for walking (Arabzadeh et al., 2024).

4. Single-Leg Stance:

• Description: Stand on one leg, initially holding onto support, then gradually reducing assistance.
• Research Relevance: A cornerstone for challenging static balance, which is essential for standing activities and preventing falls when ambulating (Saebo Clinical Article, n.d.).

5. Tandem Stance/Walk (Heel-to-Toe Walking):

• Description: Stand with the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot. Progress to walking heel-to-toe.
• Research Relevance: This exercise significantly challenges dynamic balance and gait stability, mimicking aspects of complex walking patterns (Hu et al., 2024).

6. Heel and Toe Raises:

• Description: While holding onto support, raise up onto your toes, then lower, and then rock back onto your heels, lifting your toes.
• Research Relevance: Strengthens the ankle muscles, which are vital for the "ankle strategy" – a key balance-recovery mechanism to prevent trips and stumbles (St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, 2025).

7. Obstacle Navigation:

• Description: Practice stepping over small, soft obstacles (e.g., rolled-up towel) in a controlled manner.
• Research Relevance: Task-oriented training and real-world functional activities are highly effective. This enhances reactive balance and cognitive planning for safe ambulation in varied environments (St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, 2025; Głąb et al., 2023).
• 
  
  
  
  

• The important Role of Specialist home Physiotherapists

  Navigating stroke recovery requires expert guidance. An HCPC and CSP registered specialist physiotherapist is your invaluable partner, ensuring your home physiotherapy is safe, effective, and constantly evolving with your progress.

  How Your Specialist Physiotherapist Can Help

• Personalized Assessment & Goal Setting: Specialist home Physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment, identifying specific balance deficits, functional limitations, and individual goals.
• Tailored Exercise Prescription: Prescribe the exercises (or variations) suitable for your current ability, demonstrating correct technique and ensuring proper progression. This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Equipment and Adaptation Expertise: They are experienced in recommending and guiding with regarding essential equipment and adaptation for your home, such as grab rails, walking aids, to enhance safety and independence.
• Monitoring Progress & Adjusting Programs: Regular reviews ensure your program remains challenging but safe. They can modify exercises based on your improvements or any setbacks, optimizing your recovery.
• Educating Patients and Carers: They provide vital education on fall prevention, and how carers can safely assist.
• Linking with Other Services: They can help and guide with referrals to other crucial services, ensuring holistic elderly care.
• 

Recent Research Underpinning Home-Based Stroke Rehabilitation

The efficacy of home physiotherapy for stroke survivors is consistently supported by robust research:

• Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses: Recent meta-analyses consistently show that exercise interventions significantly improve balance function in stroke patients. Aerobic exercise, in particular, demonstrates powerful effects on balance (Arabzadeh et al., 2024).
• Focus on Functional Outcomes: Research increasingly emphasizes task-oriented training and exercises that mimic real-life activities, as these directly translate to improved functional independence (Głąb et al., 2023).
• Tele-Rehabilitation's Rise: The power of remote guidance is gaining ground, proving to be an effective and accessible option for continuous rehabilitation after hospital discharge (Geng et al., 2025).

Take Control - Your Path to Enhanced Balance

Regaining balance after a stroke is an ambitious but achievable goal. By consistently performing these seven evidence-based home physiotherapy exercises under the expert guidance of an HCPC and CSP registered specialist physiotherapist, you can improve your stability, reduce your fall risk, and reclaim a fulfilling, independent life. Don't wait; empower your recovery today!

References:

1.     Age UK. (2024, April 28). Older people at risk of being forced into residential care due to massive delays in making adaptations to homes. Retrieved from https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/articles/2024/age-uk-comment-in-response-to-the-ombudsman-report-on-waspi-women/older-people-at-risk-of-being-forced-into-residential-care-due-to-massive-delays-in-making-adaptations-to-homes/

2.     Arabzadeh, E., et al. (2024). "The effect of exercise on balance function in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." ResearchGate (PDF available). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381163250_The_effect_of_exercise_on_balance_function_in_stroke_patients_a_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis_of_randomized_controlled_trials

3.     Geng, C., et al. (2025). "Effectiveness of home-based Rehabilitation on Activities of Daily Living in Patients With Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Physical Therapy. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40167208/

4.     Głąb, G., et al. (2023). "A Comprehensive Review of Physical Therapy Interventions for Stroke Rehabilitation: Impairment-Based Approaches and Functional Goals." PMC. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10216461/

5.     Hu, T., et al. (2024). "Advances in balance training to prevent falls in stroke patients: a scoping review." Frontiers in Neurology. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1167954/full

6.     JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies. (2025). "Home-Based Nonimmersive Virtual Reality Training After Discharge From Inpatient or Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: Parallel Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial." JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies. Retrieved from https://rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e64729

7.     Saebo. (n.d.). "Reclaim Your Stability With These Balance Exercises For Stroke Recovery." Saebo Clinical Article. Retrieved from https://www.saebo.com/blogs/clinical-article/reclaim-your-stability-with-these-balance-exercises-for-stroke-recovery

8.     St John & St Elizabeth Hospital. (2025). "Best Exercises for Stroke Patients | Stroke Recovery & Rehab." St John & St Elizabeth Hospital Blog. Retrieved from https://hje.org.uk/blog/best-exercises-for-stroke-patients/

9.     University of Brighton. (2024, July 15). Physiotherapy Outcomes Are Associated With Shorter Waiting Times, More Treatment Sessions and Younger Age. Retrieved from https://research.brighton.ac.uk/files/50211606/msc.1924.pdf

10. Wu, S., et al. (2023). "Effects of different rehabilitation training on balance function in stroke patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis." Archives of Medical Science. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10696991/