Effects of Pilates-based Trunk Stabilization Exercises on the Center of Pressure and Balance Ability in Patients with Stroke

Purpose: This study examined the effects of a Pilates-based trunk stabilization exercise program on the gait ability and trunk muscle activation in patients with chronic stroke.Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic stroke participated.All subjects received conventional neurorehabilitation twice weekly for 30 minutes, and also performed Pilates-based trunk stabilization exercises three times weekly for 30 minutes over eight weeks.The gait ability was evaluated according to the step length difference between the affected and unaffected sides and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and trunk muscle activation was measured in the rectus abdominis, external oblique, multifidus, and erector spinae using surface EMG.Results: One-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant time-dependent improvements in trunk muscle activation, gait symmetry, and TUG performance (p< 0.05).Post-hoc analysis revealed progressive increases in muscle activation, reductions in step length asymmetry, and decreases in TUG completion time across intervention periods. Conclusion:Pilates-based trunk stabilization exercises effectively improved the gait ability and trunk muscle activation of chronic stroke patients.These findings highlight the rehabilitative value of core strengthening and suggest that Pilates may serve as a practical intervention for enhancing functional recovery after stroke.