The effects of the three-dimensional active trunk training exercise on trunk control ability, trunk muscle strength, and balance ability in sub-acute stroke patients: A randomized controlled pilot study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jung, Kyeoung-Man^a | Joo, Min-Cheol^b | Jung, You-Jin^{c; *} | Jang, Woo-Nam^d

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Won-Kwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea | [b] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Won-Kwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea | [c] Department of Occupational Therapy, Won-Kwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea | [d] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Welfare, Yong-In University, Yongin, Korea

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: You-Jin Jung, Department of Occupational Therapy, Won-Kwang University Hospital, 895 Muwang-ro, Iksan, Jeonlabuk-do, 570-711, Korea. Tel.: +82 63 859 1640; Fax: +82 63 859 1647; E-mail: amyeugene@naver.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trunk control ability has been identified as an important early predictor of functional recovery after stroke. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the effects of three-dimensional active trunk training exercise on trunk control ability, trunk muscle strength, and balance ability in sub-acute stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-four sub-acute stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental (n= 12) or control (n= 12) group. The experimental group (EG) performed three-dimensional active trunk training exercises using the Space Balance 3D system, while the control group (CG) performed only general trunk training exercises five times per week, for a total of three weeks. The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), trunk muscle strength, balance ability using the Space Balance 3D system, and Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA) scores were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Pre-to-post intervention improvement was noted in all outcome measures for both groups (p< 0.05). Post intervention, the TIS, trunk muscle strength, static balance, and BBA scores were significantly higher in the EG than those in the CG (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the three-dimensional active trunk training exercise may be more effective compared to the general trunk training exercise in improving trunk control ability, trunk muscle strength, and balance ability in sub-acute stroke patients.

Keywords: Exercise therapy, Space Balance 3D system, sub-acute stroke, trunk control, trunk training exercise

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181179

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 213-222, 2021