Discriminant ability of the Trunk Impairment Scale: A comparison between stroke patients and healthy individuals.
OBJECTIVE
The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) is a standardized scale to evaluate the trunk function in stroke patients. It was the aim of this study to determine the discriminant ability of the TIS by comparing stroke patients with healthy individuals. Further, the variables that had an influence on obtaining a high score on the TIS in healthy subjects were examined.


METHODS
Forty stroke patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. TIS scores from the stroke patients and healthy individuals were compared using the Wilcoxon ranked sum test.


RESULTS
Sub-scale and total TIS scores showed significant differences between stroke patients and healthy individuals (P < 0.0001). Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis further revealed that younger persons, women and people who are more active in daily life have a higher chance of obtaining a high score on the TIS.


CONCLUSIONS
The TIS discriminates between stroke patients and healthy individuals. A submaximal score on the TIS was found in 45% of the healthy subjects suggesting that a lower score on the TIS still indicates normal trunk function and full participation in daily life.
Verheyden
G
G
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Geert.Verheyden@faber.kuleuven.be
Nieuwboer
A
A
Feys
H
H
Thijs
V
V
Vaes
K
K
De Weerdt
W
W
D000005:Abdomen / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012016:Reference Values; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*