Effects of Deep Abdominal Muscle Strengthening Exercises on Pulmonary Function and the Ability to Balance in Stroke Patients

Abstract

This study investigated effects of deep abdominal muscle strengthening exercises on pulmonary function and the ability to balance in stroke patients and was conducted to propose an exercise program for improving cardiovascular function. Methods: Study subjects were 20 patients with hemiplegia due to stroke, who were divided into the deep abdominal muscle strengthening exercise group (experimental group), 10, and the control group, 10. Pulmonary function tests measured FVC and FEV1, dynamic balance ability was measured using TUG. Static and dynamic balance ability was measured using BBS. The experimental group performed exercises during a period of 6 weeks, 5 times a week for 40 minutes, whereas the control group did not participate in regular exercise. The difference before and after the exercise was compared using paired t-test, difference in exercise before and after between groups was ANCOVA and level of significance was set at α= 0.05. Results: The changes in FVC and FEV1 within the group showed a significant difference only in the experimental group (p < 0.001) (p< 0.01), between-group difference was statistically significant only in FVC and FEV1 changes in the experimental group (p< 0.001). The TUG changes within the group showed a significant difference in the experimental group and control group (p< 0.001) (p< 0.05), while BBS changes showed a significant difference only in the experimental group. Between-group difference was statistically significant only in TUG and BBS changes in the experimental group. The experimental group showed a more effective significant difference than the control group (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Can exercise involving a deep abdominal muscle strengthening program be applied in patients with stroke with difficulty in control of trunk and decreased breathing ability?

Effects of diaphragm and deep abdominal muscle exercise on walking and balance ability in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke

“…The bracing exercise described by Grenier and McGill (2007) is an exercise method for stability and strengthening of the trunk, which increases the power and endurance by cocontraction between deep muscles and superficial muscles surrounding the trunk. Kang et al (2015) reported that respiratory activity and BA were improved in hemiplegia (due to stroke) patients by performing bracing exercise for 6 weeks, and supported the exercise method appropriateness of this study. Moodie et al (2011) applied 5 basic training principles—overload, progressive load, repetition, individualization, and specificity—so that resistance to diaphragm and inspiratory muscles can be effectively increased with increased power and endurance.…”

“…The results showed significant improvement in TUG for both groups after 4 weeks and 6 weeks, and there was no significant difference between-groups. Kang et al (2015) demonstrated significant improvement in 20 hemiplegia patients comparing within-group and between-group analysis of TUG where the EG performed abdominal muscle strengthening exercises. In this study, TUG was significantly improved before and after the intervention in both EG with DDAME and CG.…”

Comparison Between Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Abdominal and Back Muscles on Postural Balance in Post-stroke Hemiplegic Patients

“…NMES may have additional benefits on the abdominal muscles. Kang et al [ 23 ] reported that abdominal muscle strengthening is effective in improving pulmonary function by increasing abdominal cavity pressure and expiratory capacity. In addition, NMES to abdominal muscles may reduce low back pain by strengthening the deep lumbar stabilizer muscles [ 11 , 24 ].…”

Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-based abdominal muscle strengthening training on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in chronic low back pain patients

“… Lee (2012) measured FEV 1 according to the presence or absence of AM contractions in 20 college women and found a significant improvement in FEV 1 when AM were contracted. In a study by Kang et al (2015) on stroke patients, the experimental group with AMST was found to have improved FEV 1 compared to the control group, which focused on trunk stability. From these studies, we can see that AMST is needed to improve pulmonary function, especially FEV 1 .…”