Effect of core muscle strengthening on trunk proprioception and functional mobility in persons with chronic stroke

INTRODUCTION: Trunk position sense impairment and weakness causes significant balance difficulty in persons with chronic stroke. This study evaluates the therapeutic effect of strengthening core muscle in addition to Conventional Physiotherapy on trunk proprioception and functional mobility in them. METHODOLOGY: (1) Trunk repositioning error (TRE) using computerized isokinetic system, (2) functional mobility tests of 6 m walk test (6mWT), 5 times Sit-to-Stand (5-STS), alternate step test (AST), Stair Ascent and Descent test (SADT); at (i) induction (ii) after 6 weeks therapy (iii) after 10 weeks, was assessed in adults with chronic Stroke. Control (CG) and experimental group (EG) (15 each) received conventional therapy of stretching, facilitation/strengthening of movement as required for the hemiparetic side, task-oriented activities with altered sensory input for balance and gait training for 6 weeks (3 times/week). EG received core muscle strengthening in addition. RESULTS: No significant difference in the recovery post 6 weeks of therapy in the two groups, but a large effect size (ES > 0.8) obtained in TRE, STS, AST, SADT, and 6MWT in the EG, whereas in CG, only in STS, AST, and SADT and a moderate (ES > 0.5) in TRE and 6mWT. At the 10 th week, EG obtained a moderate ES in TRE, STS, AST and in SADT, a mild ES in and 6mWT; whereas in the CG the ES was moderate for the AST and SADT, while ES was mild for 6mWT and STS and no ES (ES < 0.19) for TRE. CONCLUSION: Training core muscles improved the trunk proprioception in addition to the functional mobility than conventional exercises alone.