Core Strengthening Exercises for Improving Static and Dynamic Sitting Balance in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study

A bstract Context: For those who have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI), being able to sit unassisted and maintain balance while doing so is crucial because many activities are carried out from this posture. Aims: Our study aims to determine whether a core strengthening exercise program is feasible for helping SCI patients with their sitting balance. This feasibility trial is conducted to know whether the set protocol is doable for the patients to conduct a full-scale RCT. Settings and Design: Our study is a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial, and, investigator blinding and permuted block randomization were done. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 participants were assessed for eligibility out of (N = 10) population eligible according to age (18–60 years); both male and female patients with lower thoracic and lumbar level SCI, patients with ASIA Impairment Scale A, B, and C; having a minimum score of 34 on SBS and a minimum score of 10 on TIS; patients having traumatic and non-traumatic injury, ability to understand instructions and follow commands, and willing to participate. Statistical Analysis: GraphPad Instat Software was used for calculating the P value and also to find the difference in mean scores. Results: There was a significant difference between post mean values of Group A and Group B, in SBS and TIS, although there was no significant difference seen in SCIM ( P value 0.13). Conclusion: This study found that patients with spinal cord injuries benefit more from a core strengthening exercise regimen in addition to a conventional exercise; thus full-scale RCT with a large sample size can be conducted in future studies. Trial registration number: PIMS/DR.APJAKCOPT/IEC/2023/331