The Effect Of Multifidus And Transversus Abdominis Muscle Activation On Balance In Hemiplegic Patients

Completed

• Conditions: Hemiplegia

• Registration Number: NCT06181877
• Lead Sponsor: Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Brief Summary

Patients with post-stroke hemiplegia may develop balance disorder and limitation in ambulation ability due to multiple mechanisms.

The effects of core muscles on maintaining normal posture, balance and ambulation ability are known. The positive effects of core stabilisation exercises on balance in hemiplegic patients have been shown in previous studies. In this study, we planned to investigate the effects of bilateral transversus abdominis and bilateral lumbar multifidus muscles on balance in patients with stroke-related hemiplegia.

Detailed Description

Loss of function in the trunk muscles of stroke patients leads to both balance problems and excessive effort to maintain balance. While ambulation ability of some patients is completely lost due to stroke, in others, impaired balance and increased postural oscillation lead to fear of falling and increased risk of falling.

In previous studies, it has been shown that there is a significant relationship between static balance and duration of hospital stay and functional abilities after stroke. In another study, it was shown that the control ability of the trunk muscles in the early post-stroke period was a strong factor affecting general life activities in the first six months after stroke.

Trunk muscles are innervated by both hemispheres unlike the extremities. Therefore, unilateral stroke may impair the function of trunk muscles on both the contralateral and ipsilateral sides. Several studies have shown dysfunction of bilateral trunk flexor, extensor and rotator muscles in patients with unilateral stroke.

Many studies have proven that core stabilisation exercises are effective on both balance and gait function and general life activities in hemiplegic patients.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided bilateral transversus abdominis and bilateral lumbar multifidus muscle activations on balance in hemiplegic patients.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-02-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-09-01
• Study Completion: 2023-10-31
• Status Verified: 2023-12
• Study First Submitted: 2023-12-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-12-13
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-12-13
• Study First Posted: 2023-12-26
• Last Update Posted: 2023-12-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 36

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients aged 18-65 years
• Time after stroke must be at least 1 month
• Unilateral stroke
• Must be cognitively compatible in terms of cooperation
• Standing balance with/without support and/or sitting balance without support
• BMI<30

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with a history of hemiplegia in the opposite half of the body
• Patients with extruded or sequestered lumbar hernia and/or history of lumbar operation
• Patients with a history of lumbar vertebral fracture
• Patients with traumatic brain injury
• Patients with neuromuscular muscle disease that may lead to muscle atrophy
• Patients with sensory defects
• Patients with cerebellar defects
• Patients with vestibular balance disorders (vertigo, etc.)
• Patients with Parkinson's disease
• Patients with balance problems due to visual impairment
• Patients with pre-stroke balance problems

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Functional Ambulation Category (FAC)	Same day with ultrasound-guided muscle measurement	Ambulation ability of the patients was evaluated using FAC.
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)	Same day with ultrasound-guided muscle measurement	Patients' balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale.
Postural Assessment Scale For Stroke Patients (PASS)	Same day with ultrasound-guided muscle measurement	Posture change and posture maintenance scores of the patients were evaluated using PASS.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Transversus Abdominis Muscle Activation	BBS, PASS, FAC and Brunnstrom stages were measured immediately after recording.	\[(transversus abdominis contraction thickness)-(transversus abdominis resting thickness)\]/transversus abdominis resting thickness
Multifidus Muscle Activation	BBS, PASS, FAC and Brunnstrom stages were measured immediately after recording.	\[(multifidus contraction thickness)-(multifidus resting thickness)\]/multifidus resting thickness
Brunnstrom Stages	Same day with ultrasound-guided muscle measurement	Limb function of the patients was evaluated using Brunnstrom Staging.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training & Research Hospital; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey