Effectiveness of Task-specific Training with Trunk Restraint on Lower Extremity Recovery in Stroke Patients

Sasanka Mahanta; Kangkan Talukdar; Mayur Das

doi:10.37591/rrjon.v12i3.3081

Abstract

Background: Stroke is considered as one of the major causes of impairments in activities of daily living. The majority of patients after stroke demonstrate excessive compensatory trunk deviation movement during activities of daily living. This compensatory trunk movement limits recovery of the lower extremity. Task-specific training is an effective intervention to improve recovery of the upper extremity. However, there was not much evidence about the effectiveness of task-specific training with restraining compensatory trunk movement in the recovery of the lower extremity. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to check the effectiveness of task-specific training with trunk restraint on lower extremity recovery and on reducing the impairment of the trunk in stroke patients. Materials and Method: 30 subjects diagnosed with stroke were included in this study. Among these, 19 were males and 11 were females. The trunk impairment scale (TIS) and lower extremity section of the Fugl- Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE) were assessed on the first day prior to the intervention. 30 subjects performed task-specific exercises which consists of 8 exercises. Each exercise was performed for 10–15 reps, 3 sets, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, TIS and FMA-LE were reassessed in all subjects, and pre- and post-intervention data were statistically analyzed. Results: Using SPSS software, the results of statistical analysis were tabulated in terms of mean, standard deviation, and p-value in the study. Result showed that there was significant improvement in the variables. Conclusion: It is concluded that task-specific training with trunk restraint is effective in improving lower extremity recovery and reducing impairment of the trunk in stroke patients.