Effect of progressive bridging exercise on weight-bearing during the extension phase of sit-to-stand, and on sit-to-stand ability in individuals with stroke: A randomised controlled trial

Objective To examine the effect of a progressive bridging exercise on force, time, and pressure during the extension phase of sit-to-stand, and on sit-to-stand ability in individuals with stroke. Design A single-blinded randomised controlled trial. Setting Hospital. Participants Forty-eight individuals with acute ischemic stroke, not at brainstem and cerebellum, randomly allocated to the intervention ( n = 24) and control ( n = 24) groups. Five participants dropped out during the 2-month follow-up, but they were in the intention-to-treat analysis. Interventions The intervention group undertook a 45-min conventional physiotherapy and a 30-min progressive bridging exercise. The control group received only the conventional exercise. Main measures Peak vertical ground reaction force, time to peak force, peak foot pressure, and regional peak foot pressure during the extension phase of sit-to-stand, and sitting-to-standing item of the Motor Assessment Scale were assessed before training, after 4-week training, and 2-month follow-up. Results The intervention group showed significantly ( p < 0.001) less difference in peak vertical ground reaction force between feet during the extension phase of sit-to-stand than the control after 4-week training (mean ± standard deviation; intervention, 5.38 ± 3.99; control, 17.1 ± 10.3) and 2-month follow-up (intervention, 6.79 ± 3.84; control, 17.5 ± 9.89), and demonstrated significantly ( p < 0.001) higher score in sit-to-stand than the control after training [mean (interquartile range); intervention, 5 (2-5); control, 2 (1-2)] and follow-up [intervention, 2 (2-5); control, 2 (1-2)]. Both groups demonstrated peak foot pressure on the medial and lateral heels, metatarsals, and hallux regions. Conclusion Progressive bridging exercise improved symmetrical weight bearing during the extension phase of sit-to-stand, consequently enhanced sit-to-stand ability in individuals with stroke.