Trunk Rotation Exercises Versus Sit-to-Stand Training with Step-Foot Position on Balance and Gait in Patients with Chronic Stroke

Abstract

Context: Muscle weakness, decreased range of motion, abnormal muscle tone, incoordination, and multisensory disintegration in stroke patients can lead to balance disturbances, reduced mobility, and higher risk for falls. There is paucity in literature whether trunk rotation exercises or sit-to-stand training protocol would be more beneficial for stroke-related disability. Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the comparative effect of trunk rotation exercises and sit-to-stand training with step-foot position on balance and gait in patients with chronic stroke. Settings and Design: Experimental study was carried out at tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods: Thirty stroke patients were recruited and randomly included in one of the two study groups. Group A was given trunk rotation exercises and Group B received sit-to-stand training with step-foot position for 30 min, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Both the groups received conventional physiotherapy for another 30 min. Balance and gait were assessed before and postintervention using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), respectively. Statistical Analysis Used: The Mann–Whitney U-test was applied for the comparison of group data. Results: When BBS and DGI were compared at pre-and postintervention time, results were statistically significant for both groups (P < 0.001). However, when between groups posttest scores were compared for BBS and DGI, results were statistically not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Both trunk rotation exercises and sit-to-stand training with step-foot position were equally effective in improving balance and gait in chronic poststroke subjects.