title: Trunk performance after stroke: an eye catching predictor of functional outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Trunk performance is an important predictor of functional outcome after stroke. However, the percentage of explained variance varies considerably between studies. This may be explained by the stroke population examined, the different scales used to assess trunk performance and the time points used to measure outcome. The aim of this multicentre study was to examine the predictive validity of the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and its subscales when predicting the Barthel Index score at 6 months after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 102 subjects were recruited in three European rehabilitation centres. Participants were assessed on admission (median time since stroke onset 20 days) and 6 months after stroke. Correlation analysis and forward stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to model outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The best predictors of the Barthel Index scores at 6 months after stroke were total TIS score (partial R2 = 0.52, p<.0001) and static sitting balance subscale score (partial R2 = 0.50, p<.0001) on admission. The TIS score on admission and its static sitting balance subscale were stronger predictors of the Barthel Index score at 6 months than the Barthel Index score itself on admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study emphasises the importance of trunk performance, especially static sitting balance, when predicting functional outcome after stroke. The TIS is recommended as a prediction instrument in the rehabilitation setting when considering the prognosis of stroke patients. Future studies should address the evolution of trunk performance over time and the evaluation of treatment interventions to improve trunk performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. G.Verheyden@soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verheyden
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nieuwboer
authors.forename: Liesbet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Wit
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feys
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schuback
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baert
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jenni
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schupp
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: De Weerdt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation