Efficacy of Trunk Rehabilitation and Balance Training On Trunk Control, Balance and Gait in Post Stroke Hemiplegic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause of long term disability worldwide.Several factors affect the functional independence in post stroke period in which trunk control and balance play a significant role.Despite evidence demonstrating the importance of trunk performance and balance after stroke, studies evaluating therapy aimed at improving trunk control, balance and gait are limited.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of trunk rehabilitation and balance training on trunk control, balance and gait in post stroke patients. Materials and methods: 30 patients based on inclusion and exclusioncriteria were selected from the OPD of University College of Physiotherapy, Faridkot.Patients were equally divided into two groups based on randomization Group A (n=15) and Group B (n=15).Patients in Group A (Experimental Group) received trunk rehabilitation, balance training and conventional physiotherapy.Patients in Group B (Control Group) received conventional physiotherapy only.Duration of treatment was 5 weeks with treatment session for 4 days a week.Outcome Measures: were Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale and 10 meters distance walk test.Results: Both the groups showed improvements in trunk control, balance and gait of post stroke hemiplegic patients (p<0.05).Between groups analysis showed that experimental group demonstrated more significant improvements in Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale scoring and the gait parameters i.e. gait speed and cadence post intervention.Conclusion: Thus the study concluded that trunk rehabilitation exercises and balance training are effective in improving trunk control, balance and gait in post stroke hemiplegic patients.