Comparison of the effects of core stabilization and chest mobilization exercises on lung function and chest wall expansion in stroke patients.

Only 30 patients from one convalescent hospital were studied, so the result may not apply to other settings or larger populations. Participants had to be cognitively intact and have limited spasticity, and they could not have respiratory disease or rib fractures, so the study may not apply to more impaired stroke patients. The study compared two exercise groups and did not include a group receiving no exercise, so it cannot show that either exercise is better than doing nothing. One researcher performed both the exercises and the outcome measurements, and the supplied text does not describe an independent blinded assessor. The intervention lasted only 4 weeks, so longer-term effects are not known.

Do not conclude that chest mobilization is better for chest expansion or core stabilization is better for peak flow just because each group improved its own measures. The between-group comparison was not significant, and no control group was included.