Background: The proximal trunk stability is a major pre-requisite for balance and
coordinated extremity use in daily functional activities. Objective: To evaluate the trunk
control in chronic stroke patients , and to determine to what extent it affects
balance abilities and functional performance of those patients. Another aim is
to detect the best clinical measure that can be used to test trunk muscle
control and may predict functional recovery. Patients and Methods: Forty adult post-stroke ambulant patients participated in this study.
The testing protocol included assessment of trunk control by Trunk Impairment
Scale (TIS), evaluation of balance ability by Biodex Balance System, and
assessment of the functional performance by Functional Independence Measure
(motor subscale). Results: The mean age of the study sample was 56.1 ±5.45 years. The trunk control
was impaired in 39 (97.5%) out of 40 patients. Measures of trunk control were
significantly correlated with measures of balance and functional ability.
Univariate regression analysis and partial correlation showed that the dynamic
sitting balance subscale of the TIS has the highest effect on measures of
balance and functional ability. In addition, the patients’ functional
performance is strongly dependent on their balance ability. Conclusion: The trunk performance
is still impaired in most of chronic stroke patients and it strongly affects
their balance and functional abilities. The dynamic sitting balance component
of the TIS is a reliable clinical indicator of balance and functional recovery. [Egypt
J Neurol Psychiat Neurosurg. 2014; 51(3): 327-331]
Key Words: chronic stroke,
functional recovery, trunk control, balance stability, trunk impairment scale
Correspondence to Hanan Helmy, Neurology Department, Cairo University;
Egypt. Tel: +201229123430 Email: drhananelgendy76@yahoo.com