The effects of core stability strength exercise on muscle activity and trunk impairment scale in stroke patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of core stability-enhancing exercises on the lower trunk and muscle activity of stroke patients. The control group (n = 10) underwent standard exercise therapy, while the experiment group (n =10) underwent both the core stability-enhancing exercise and standard exercise therapy simultaneously. The standard exercise therapy applied to the two groups included weight bearing and weight shifts and joint movements to improve flexibility and the range of motion. The core stability-enhancing exercise was performed 5 times a week for 30 min over a period of 4 weeks in the room where the patients were treated. For all 20 subject, the items measured before the exercise were measured after the therapeutic intervention, and changes in muscle activity of the lower trunk were evaluated. The activity and stability of the core muscles were measured using surface electromyography and the trunk impairment scale (TIS). The mean TIS score and muscle activity of the lower trunk increased in the experiment group significantly after performing the core stability-enhancing exercise (P<0.05). The results of this study show that the core stability-enhancing exercise is effective in improving muscle activity of the lower trunk, which is affected by hemiplegia.

Keywords: Cerebral vascular accident; Core stability; Muscle activity; Stroke; Trunk impairment scale.

Fig. 1.

Change in the TIS score of the core exercise group and control group (*P< 0.05).

Fig. 2.

Changes in the muscle activity of the core exercise group and control group. *P< 0.05. RA, rectus abdominis; EO, external oblique; IO, internal oblique; ES, erector spinae.