Effects of diagonally aligned sitting training with a tilted surface on sitting balance for low sitting performance in the early phase after stroke: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

To clarify the effects of diagonally aligned sitting training using a tilted surface on sitting balance for patients with low sitting performance in the early phase after stroke.

Materials and methods

This was an assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial. The experimental group used a surface tilted 10° backward and down toward the most affected side; the control group trained on a horizontal surface. Both groups were asked to move their trunk diagonally forward toward the least affected side. Participants performed the activity 40 times/session for seven sessions over 8 days. Sitting performances were assessed using the function in sitting test (FIST), subjective postural vertical (SPV) on the diagonal plane, and trunk impairment scale (TIS).

Results

Thirty-three stroke patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Treatment effects differed significantly: mean differences between groups for FIST (total score, static, dynamic, scooting, and reactive) were 8.96, 2.35, 3.01, 1.27, and 1.72 points, for the mean SPV value was 1.82°, and for the TIS (total score and static) were 1.87 and 1.58 points, respectively. These results were more favourable in the experimental group.

Conclusions

Diagonally aligned sitting training on a tilted surface improves sitting balance and modulates the SPV compared with a horizontal surface.

Keywords:

• Sitting training
• postural balance
• exercise
• stroke rehabilitation
• trunk
• perception

Acknowledgments

We thank the rehabilitation staff at the Saitama Medical University International Medical Center for their help during the study, and we thank Dr. Shunichi Ishihara from Bunkyo university for his advice on statistical analysis in this study. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry at https://www.umin.ac.jp/, reference number UMIN-CTR number: UMIN000028446.