Effect of bilateral upper extremity exercise on trunk performance in patients with stroke

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Stroke frequently leads to impaired trunk control, affecting mobility and independence.
• Effective rehabilitation strategies are crucial for improving functional outcomes in stroke survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of bilateral upper extremity exercises on trunk performance in chronic stroke patients.
• To determine if adding upper extremity training enhances trunk stability and coordination.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 20 in-patients with chronic stroke (≥6 months post-stroke).
• Participants received standard neurological rehabilitation; the experimental group additionally performed 30 minutes of bilateral upper extremity exercises thrice weekly for 4 weeks.
• Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) was used for pre- and post-intervention assessments.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in all Trunk Impairment Scale items were noted within both groups post-intervention.
• The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in dynamic sitting balance, trunk coordination, and total TIS scores compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Bilateral upper extremity exercises, when added to standard rehabilitation, can effectively improve trunk performance in stroke patients.
• This approach offers a promising adjunct therapy for enhancing balance and coordination in stroke rehabilitation.