Effect of truncal exercise and patient preferred sitting tasks training on functional ability in sub-acute stroke

Stroke is the second leading cause of disability and death. Research suggests that incidence of stroke in India ranges between 105 and 152/1,00,000 people per year. Most patients with acute and sub – acute stroke have a poor sitting balance. Thus, the prevalence of sitting balance impairments among post – stroke with values ranging from 16.7% to as high as 83%.However, the trunk training exercise is given early after stroke is most important training that specifically targets trunk muscles and trunk functions at post – stroke. The  intervention most often focus on the time therapy (min/hours).Repeated practice of a challenging movement by patient preferred sitting task can produce physiological changes in motor neurons.              

PROCEDURE                    

60 In- patients of Kovai Medical Center and Hospital undergoing treatment for rehabilitation will be selected in the study. Patients will be recruited on their first referral of physiotherapy from day 3 considered as medically stable by their consulting physicians. This study will select in – patients referred to Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital. Patients who fulfill inclusion criteria and provide informed consent will be selected for the study. Patient vitals are to be screened and observed before, during and end of the treatment session. Group A – experimental group receives truncal exercise with patient preferred sitting task training.

Group B – control group receives the conventional therapy alone.

Pre – test  and post – test measures are using trunk impairment scale (TIS), function in sitting test (FIST) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) , 5 times Sit to stand at  test.