Effects of Trunk Exercise on Trunk Control and Balance in Persons With Stroke

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Cerebrovascular Accident; Balance Impairment

• Registration Number: NCT04434443
• Lead Sponsor: National Cheng Kung University

Brief Summary

This study examined the effects of trunk exercise on unstable surfaces on trunk control and balance for persons in the sub-acute stage of stroke. The hypothesis was that, compared to upper limb exercises in well supported sitting position, this exercise would lead to better trunk control and sitting and standing balance. The results supported the hypothesis.

Detailed Description

Inpatients in the sub-acute stage of stroke were randomly assigned to receive upper limb range of motion exercises in well supported sitting position or trunk exercises on unstable surfaces in supine and sitting, 30 min per session, 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks, in addition to their daily conventional stroke rehabilitation. Sensorimotor functions, including hand grip strength, plantar sensitivity, stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement and Fugl-Meyer lower extremity motor scale, and clinical outcome assessments, including Trunk Impairment Scale and 6-meter walk test, were conducted by a blinded assessor. Biomechanical outcome measures included center of pressure area while maintaining static posture and peak displacement while leaning forward, and the average speed of the unaffected arm raising (to represent the ability to provide a stable foundation for focal movement). These measures were taken in sitting without foot support, sitting with foot support and standing to reflect trunk control, sitting balance and standing balance, respectively.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-08-09
• Primary Completion: 2019-10-06
• Study Completion: 2019-10-06
• Status Verified: 2020-06
• Study First Submitted: 2020-06-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-06-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-06-15
• Study First Posted: 2020-06-16
• Last Update Posted: 2020-06-16

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 35

Inclusion Criteria

• age: between 20-80 years old
• first time stroke
• could sit without back support at least 20 seconds
• could understand and follow experimental instructions

Exclusion Criteria

• medically unstable
• other neuromuscular/musculoskeletal problems that would affect balance

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Center of pressure	6 weeks	range of displacement (cm)
Angular velocity of the non-affected arm raising	6 weeks	mean velocity

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Trunk Impairment Scale	6 weeks	total score (0-23); higher scores mean better outcome
6-meter walking tests	6 weeks	time (sec) to walk 6 meters

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Cheng Kung University; 🇨🇳 Tainan, Taiwan