Task-Oriented Training with Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver in Sitting Position for Trunk Control, Balance, and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

In many patients with stroke, trunk stabilization and balance are decreased. Trunk stabilization and balance are important to perform posture control and functional movement. This study investigates the effects of task-orientated training with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver in a sitting position on trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke. The study design is a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-eight patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The task-oriented training combined with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver group (n = 13), the task-oriented training group (n = 13), and the control group (n = 12) received traditional physical therapy. Three groups participated in a total of 20 sessions, four times a week for five weeks. After the five-week training period, trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living were assessed. The task-oriented training combined with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver group demonstrated significant improvements in trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living compared to the task-oriented training and control groups (p < 0.05). These results have implications for improving trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living for patients with stroke, and support the integration of this training method into standard clinical practice.