Effect of Bilateral Scapular Muscles Strengthening on Dynamic Balance in Post Stroke Individuals

Aim: To determine the effect of bilateral strengthening of scapular muscles to improve dynamic balance in post stroke individuals. Objectives: To find the effect of bilateral scapular muscles strengthening in stroke and to find the upper trunk balance in stroke after intervention. Materials and Method: 42 patients were included according to Brunstrom's recovery stage 2 and voluntary control grade 2 of upper limb were randomized by chit method into two groups, group A (conventional Physiotherapy{PT}) and group B (bilateral scapular muscle strengthening and conventional PT) - with 21 patients in each group. All the patients were assessed with Berg balance scale (BBS), voluntary control grading of upper limb (VCG), and bilateral scapular muscle recruitment by Electromyography (EMG). The treatment was given for 5 days a week for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks effect of interventions were assessed by BBS, VCG and EMG. Conclusion: Bilateral scapular muscles strengthening combined with conventional PT showed improvement in dynamic balance and had an additional effect on muscle recruitment, control of upper limb and mobility in stroke patients.