title: The effects of aquatic trunk exercise on gait and muscle activity in stroke patients: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle activity and gait function following aquatic trunk exercise in hemiplegic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] This study's participants included thirteen hemiplegic patients (ten males and three females). The aquatic therapy consisted of administering concentrative aquatic therapy for four weeks in a therapeutic pool. Gait parameters were measured using a gait analysis system adjusted to each subject's comfortable walking speed. Electromyographic signals were measured for the rectus abdominis, external abdominal oblique, transversus abdominis/internal-abdominal oblique, and erector spine of each patients. [Results] The pre- and post-training performances of the transversus abdominis/internal-abdominal oblique were compared statistically. There was no statistical difference between the patients' pre- and post-training values of maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the rectus abdominis, but the external abdominal oblique values tended to improve. Furthermore, gait factors improved significantly in terms of walking speeds, walking cycles, affected-side stance phases, affected-stride lengths, and stance-phase symmetry indices, respectively. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the trunk exercise during aquatic therapy may in part contribute to clinically relevant improvements in muscle activities and gait parameters.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung-Sun
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mee-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Commercializations Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Lim-Kyu
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Deok
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Sub
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Welfare, Wonkwang Health Science University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Honam University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Uk
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Taekwondo Instructor Education, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Taek-Yong
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Combative Martial Arts Training, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Combative Martial Arts Training, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Welfare, College of Public Health and Welfare, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jaehong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Welfare, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Junghwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Aquatic trunk exercise; Gait; Muscle activity