Trunk performance after stroke and the relationship with balance, gait and functional ability.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate trunk performance in non-acute and chronic stroke patients by means of the Trunk Control Test and Trunk Impairment Scale and to compare the Trunk Control Test with the Trunk Impairment Scale and its subscales in relation to balance, gait and functional ability after stroke.


METHODS
Fifty-one stroke patients, attending a rehabilitation programme, participated in the study.


METHODS
SUBJECTS were evaluated with the Trunk Control Test, Trunk Impairment Scale, Tnetti balance and gait subscales, Functional Ambulation Category, 10-m walk test, Timed Up and Go Test and motor part of the Functional Independence Measure.


RESULTS
Participants obtained a median score of 61 out of 100 on the Trunk Control Test and 11 out of 23 for the Trunk Impairment Scale. Twelve participants (24%) obtained the maximum score on the Trunk Control Test; no subject reached the maximum score on the Trunk Impairment Scale. Measures of trunk performance were significantly related with values of balance, gait and functional ability. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed an additional, significant contribution of the dynamic sitting balance subscale of the Trunk Impairment Scale in addition to the Trunk Control Test total score for measures of gait and functional ability (model R2 = 0.55-0.62).


CONCLUSIONS
This study clearly indicates that trunk performance is still impaired in non-acute and chronic stroke patients. When planning future follow-up studies, use of the Trunk Impairment Scale has the advantage that it has no ceiling effect.
Verheyden
Geert
G
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Geert.Verheyden@faber.kuleuven.be
Vereeck
Luc
L
Truijen
Steven
S
Troch
Mark
M
Herregodts
Iris
I
Lafosse
Cristophe
C
Nieuwboer
Alice
A
De Weerdt
Willy
W
D000005:Abdomen / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013909:Thorax / Q000503:physiopathology*