Comparative Efficacy of Segmental vs Conventional Physiotherapy on Functional Posture Restoration in Stroke Survivors

Background and Purpose: Stroke often results in postural dysfunction due to hemiparesis, significantly impairing functional independence. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted external oblique muscle strengthening as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy on trunk stability and postural control in stroke survivors. Methods: A randomized comparative study was conducted on 60 post - stroke hemiplegic patients aged 40?70 years. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A received conventional physiotherapy, while Group B received conventional physiotherapy along with external oblique muscle strengthening exercises, including side crunches, modified side planks, Russian twists, and lateral bends, over a 12 - week period (5 sessions/week). Outcome measures included the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), assessed pre - and post - intervention. Results: Group B showed significantly greater improvements in both PASS and TIS scores compared to Group A. The mean PASS score in Group B improved by 8.1 points (p = 0.001) versus 4.2 points in Group A (p = 0.032). TIS scores in Group B improved by 7.1 points (p = 0.001) compared to 3.5 points in Group A (p = 0.045). Additionally, participants in Group B demonstrated better trunk rotation, postural symmetry, and dynamic sitting balance. Conclusions: Incorporating external oblique muscle strengthening into rehabilitation programs significantly improves trunk stability and postural control in stroke patients. This segmental physiotherapy approach offers a low - cost, effective supplement to conventional therapy and is particularly suitable for resource - limited healthcare settings.