The effects of the three-dimensional active trunk training exercise on trunk control ability, trunk muscle strength, and balance ability in sub-acute stroke patients: A randomized controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND: Trunk control ability has been identified as an important early predictor of functional recovery after stroke. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the effects of three-dimensional active trunk training exercise on trunk control ability, trunk muscle strength, and balance ability in sub-acute stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-four sub-acute stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental (n= 12) or control (n= 12) group. The experimental group (EG) performed three-dimensional active trunk training exercises using the Space Balance 3D system, while the control group (CG) performed only general trunk training exercises five times per week, for a total of three weeks. The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), trunk muscle strength, balance ability using the Space Balance 3D system, and Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA) scores were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Pre-to-post intervention improvement was noted in all outcome measures for both groups (p< 0.05). Post intervention, the TIS, trunk muscle strength, static balance, and BBA scores were significantly higher in the EG than those in the CG (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the three-dimensional active trunk training exercise may be more effective compared to the general trunk training exercise in improving trunk control ability, trunk muscle strength, and balance ability in sub-acute stroke patients.