The trunk exercises performed on the physio ball are more effective than those performed on the plinth in improving both trunk control and functional balance in acute stroke patients, suggesting a task-specific effect and also a carry-over effect.

Background and Purpose:Altered pelvic alignment and asymmetrical weight bearing on lower extremities are the most common findings observed in standing and walking after stroke. The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between pelvic alignment and weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) in community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in tertiary care rehabilitation centers. In standing, the lateral and anterior pelvic tilt angle of chronic stroke survivors was assessed using palpation (PALM™) meter device. The percentage of WBA was measured with two standard weighing scales. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to study the correlation between pelvic tilt and WBA.Results:Of 112 study participants, the mean (standard deviation) age was 54.7 (11.7) years and the poststroke duration was 14 (11) months. The lateral pelvic tilt on the most affected side and bilateral anterior pelvic tilt were 2.47 (1.8) and 4.4 (1.8) degree, respectively. The percentage of WBA was 23.2 (18.94). There was a high correlation of lateral pelvic tilt with WBA (r = 0.631; P < 0.001) than anterior pelvic tilt (r = 0.44; P < 0.001).Conclusion:Excessive lateral pelvic tilt toward the most affected side in standing may influence the weight-bearing ability of the ipsilateral lower extremity in community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors.

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Background: The pelvis is not stable after stroke, and poor trunk recovery might be the foremost contributor to altered pelvic alignment in sitting, standing and during walking. Aim: To analyze the relationship between pelvic alignment in standing and trunk control after stroke, and also test how these correlations are related to Brunnstrom's lower limb motor recovery. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 116 ambulant patients after stroke were assessed for their pelvic tilt angles in standing and trunk control using a palpation meter (PALM device) and the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), respectively. The pelvic tilt values were correlated to TIS scores by the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age, post-stroke duration, and Brunnstrom's lower limb motor recovery of study participants were 55 (13) years, 14.2 (11.3) months and 3.75 (0.79), respectively. The present study reported more lateral pelvic tilt of 2.47°( 1.78°) towards the most affected side and an anterior pelvic tilt of 4.4°(1.8°) bilaterally. The mean score of TIS was 10.4 (3). Pelvic tilt angles had a moderately inverse correlation with the total TIS score and coordination subscale of TIS (rvalue from -0.44 to -0.54), but a low inverse relationship to the dynamic sitting balance subscale of TIS (-0.36 to -0.45). Also, the pelvic tilt had a high negative correlation with trunk control (r-value from -0.68 to -0.84) in lower limb motor recovery stage 5. Conclusion: Pelvic alignment when standing is not normal after stroke, and this is influenced by poor trunk control and impairment of the lower extremities. Assessment of the pelvis provides further insight into planning the appropriate rehabilitation strategies in stroke.