The Effects of Trunk and Extremity Functions on Activities of Daily Living, Balance, and Gait in Stroke

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The primary aim is to investigate the effect of the trunk, upper extremity, and lower extremity functions on activities of daily living (ADL), balance, and gait. The second aim is to investigate the effect of trunk position sense on trunk control.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with chronic stroke were included in the study. The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Barthel Index (BI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 2-minute walking test (2MWT) were used for the assessment of trunk function, ADL, balance, and gait respectively. The Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement upper extremity (STREAM-UE) and lower extremity (STREAM-LE) sub-scales were used to evaluate extremity functions. The trunk position sense was measured with a digital inclinometer.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 58.8 ± 12.6 years. In multiple regression analysis, TIS values were found to have a positive effect on BI and BBS (p < 0.05), and STREAM-LE values have a positive effect on BBS and 2MWT (p < 0.05). STREAM-UE values were no significant effect on BI, BBS, or 2MWT (p > 0.05). Trunk position sense was found to have a positive effect on TIS (p < 0.05).

Discussion

The results of this study showed that trunk functions are more related to ADL and balance than extremity functions. Therefore, trunk training should be included as a basic application in physiotherapy programs for stroke patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Stroke rehabilitation
• activities of daily living
• gait
• proprioception
• upper extremity
• lower extremity
• trunk function
• body regions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Osman Karaca

Osman Karaca, Physiotherapist, MSc, Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, KTO Karatay University, Konya, Türkiye, and PhD student in the Department of Neurological Physiotherapy-Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye

Gülşah Sütçü

Gülşah Sütçü, Physiotherapist, MSc, Research Assistant in Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

Muhammed Kılınç

Muhammed Kılınç, Physiotherapist, PhD, Professor in Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.