Predicting the Influence of Early Trunk Control on Individual Functional Outcomes in Stroke Survivors at Three Months: A Longitudinal Observational Study

Background: Stroke is a primary contributor to persistent disability. Trunk control is commonly disrupted after a stroke, and it is a critical motor skill for many static and dynamic functions that are affected post-stroke. Objective: This study set out to find out whether the activities of daily living ADLs, gait independence (FAC), falls, fear of fall, (MFES), balance (ABC), quality of life (SSQoL), and community mobility (CM) are predicted by using the Trunk Control Test (TCT) for stroke survivors after 3 months. Methods: Initially, sixty-three patients experiencing acute stroke were assessed to establish baseline measurements of stroke severity and trunk control. Subsequently, a follow-up was conducted after three months to assess ADLs, FAC, ABC, falls, MFES, SSQoL and CM to identify which variables were strongly predicted by trunk control. The data were analyzed using a multivariate general linear model (GLM) to predict the impact of TCT on each dependent variable. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 57.08 ± 14.81 years, with 55.6% (n = 35) being males. After adjustment for sex, age, time since onset, baseline severity and rehabilitation dose, TCT remained an independent predictor of all outcomes, BI: B = 0.75, bootstrap 95% CI 0.606 to 0.934; RNLI: B = 0.72, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.94; and MFES: B = 0.06, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.08 except for fall count. Conclusions: TCT is an early predictor of functional abilities and community participation among stroke survivors. It should be integrated into assessment and management processes during stroke rehabilitation.