title: The effects of upper extremity task training with symmetric abdominal muscle contraction on trunk stability and balance in chronic stroke patients.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of upper extremity task training employing the bracing method on the trunk control and balance of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 46 stroke patients whose strokes had occurred six months or more prior to the study. The subjects were divided into two groups. One group underwent upper extremity task training with symmetric abdominal muscle contraction (bracing) applied. The other group simply underwent upper extremity task training, without bracing. [Results] The experimental group's Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) significantly increased after the intervention, whereas the control group did not see any significant difference. There was significant improvement in balance after the intervention in both the experimental group and the control group. According to the between-group comparisons, the improvements in the experimental group were significantly greater in the control group, except in the Postural Assessment Scale (PASS). [Conclusion] Based on the results of this study, upper extremity task exercises with symmetric abdominal muscle contraction, conducted as part of adult hemiplegic patients' trunk stabilization exercises, can be applied to a diverse range of hemiplegic patients and implemented as an exercise program after discharge from hospital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Daejeon University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Je-Hyeok
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Medical Science, Daejeon University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Duk
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Choi
keywords: Abdominal muscle; Balance; Trunk stability