Effect of trunk stabilization exercises on upper limb recovery in chronic stroke

Abstract

Background: The trunk being the central key point of the body, proximal trunk control may be a prerequisite for distal limb movement control and functional activities. Sitting balance and selective trunk movements remain impaired together with limbs after stroke. Selective trunk muscle exercises are administered for rehabilitation of lower limb in reference to better trunk control, but therewith of upper limb functioning isn't well established in subjects with chronic stroke. Objective: To test the consequences of trunk stabilization exercises on upper extremity recovery in chronic stroke. Method: 30 subjects with chronic stroke were randomly divided into two groups (n= 15), group I was administered conventional therapy and group II, conventional therapy together with trunk stabilization exercises for five days per week for 3 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale for upper extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were wont to analyse objective of this study. Results: Trunk stabilization exercises were showing significantly greater change in upper limb motor recovery and functionality than only conventional therapy intervention. Within the trunk stabilization exercise group, significant change in upper limb motor recovery (p< 0.05) and functional status (p< 0.05) with 95% confidence interval were found. There was no change found on improvising strength of activity performance in WMFT scale. Conclusion: Trunk stabilization exercises together with conventional therapy enhance upper limb recovery in subjects with chronic stroke.