Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of Truncal Exercises after Stroke to Improve Gait and Muscle Activity

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a trunk exercise program on the gait and muscle activity in stroke patients. The participants of this pilot study included six hemiplegic stroke patients. The outcomes were surface electromyography (sEMG) and spatiotemporal gait parameters. In analysis of sEMG, no statistically difference was found between pre- and post-training of Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) in rectus abdominis and external abdominal oblique muscle, but it tended to increase. However, the gait parameter significantly increased in walking speed, walking cycle, and affected stride length in stroke patients. These results suggest that the trunk exercise program may in part improve the gait of chronic stroke patients.