Effect of bilateral upper extremity exercise on trunk performance in patients with stroke.
Doo Ho Lee, Seong Hoon Park, Ji Won Han
PMID 28533598WHAT IT FOUND
Trunk control improved more after adding 30 minutes of bilateral upper-extremity exercises three times weekly for four weeks to usual neurological rehabilitation.
The extra gains were seen in dynamic sitting balance, coordination, and total trunk score.
Key findings
01Both groups had significant within-group improvements in all Trunk Impairment Scale items, and significant between-group differences were found for dynamic sitting balance, trunk coordination, and total Trunk Impairment Scale score.
02The experimental group's total Trunk Impairment Scale score was 11.3 ± 3.4 before training and 15.9 ± 3.3 after training, while the control group's score was 12.4 ± 3.9 before training and 14.8 ± 3.7 after training.
03In the between-group comparison, the experimental group had 4.6 ± 0.3 and the control group had 2.4 ± 0.4 on the total Trunk Impairment Scale.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study had only 20 participants, so the results may not apply broadly to all stroke patients. The patients and the physiotherapist who administered the interventions were not blinded, which may have introduced bias. The control group did not receive placebo therapy, so the experimental group received more total therapy time. The outcomes were measured only before treatment and at 4 weeks after treatment, so long-term effects were not assessed. Participants had to be able to sit without support and have a K-MMSE score above 24, so the findings may not apply to more impaired stroke patients.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that bilateral upper extremity exercise alone caused the trunk improvement. Both groups received neurological rehabilitation, the experimental group received extra 30-minute sessions three times weekly for four weeks, and the control group received no placebo therapy. The trial also had only 20 participants and no blinding.