Core Stabilization Exercises in Stroke

The Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises on Fall, Lower Limb Function, and Balance in Stroke Patients

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. Falling is defined as a person accidentally lying on a floor or another low level with or without injury. In patients with stroke occur motor, sensory, functional and cognitive disorders which are increased the rate of falls after stroke. Physiological and psychological complications that occur as a result of a fall are exhausting for both the patient and the therapist. Because while the patients regress physiologically even more, the 'fear of falling again', which occurs with falling, reduces the patient's participation in rehabilitation.When looking at the risk factors determined for falls in stroke patients, reduced mobility and impaired balance functions are in the first place and that is evidenced with most of falls occur during walking and transfers the most frequent.The main reason of affected mobility is the weakness in the deep trunk muscles and insufficient stability, except for the loss of strength in the affected lower extremity. In the literature, it is stated that having strong core muscles can contribute to the efficient use of the lower extremity. According to the previous studies, applied stabilization exercises in addition to traditional rehabilitation improve the balance and mobility functions of patients with subacute stroke. However, there is not enough information about the benefits of these exercises in patients with chronic stroke. Most falls occur at home specially in the bedroom and bathroom in patients with stroke. This indicates that environmental factors should be taken into consideration in the rehabilitation program besides physical factors, that is, a "multifactorial falls prevention program" should be implemented. Based on these information, the aim of our study is to investigate the benefits of core stabilization exercises which is included in a multifactorial training on falling number, fear of falling, lower extremity function and balance in patients with chronic stroke who have a history of falling.

The volunteers to be included in our study will be selected from chronic stroke patients who are receiving physical therapy at Bursa İlker Çelikcan Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital and have a history of falling. The study will consist of two separate groups, core stabilization and multifactorial education group. Patients who suitable the inclusion criteria will be randomized according to the order of initiation of the physical therapy program in the hospital and divided into groups. Both groups will participate in a multifactorial education program. In this program program, there are physical therapy and rehabilitation practices that are routinely applied in stroke rehabilitation and that patients will receive at the specified hospital. In the content of these applications; patient-specific upper and lower extremity stretching, relaxation and strengthening exercises; balance, coordination and gait training are included.In addition to these, patients in the intervention group will perform core stabilization exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The exercises will be applied 5 times a week for 6 weeks. First of all, activation of the "transversus abdominis" muscle, which forms the basis of core stabilization, will be taught to patients. "Chattanooga Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback Device" will be used in order to teach this activation and to observe whether the patient is doing it correctly during exercises. The exercises will be made more difficult by adding extremity movements to this activation. Evaluations will be made twice, at the beginning (0. week) and end of the treatment (13. week).In order to evaluate the effect of the treatment on the fall, the number of falls that occurred within 3 months after the end of the treatment will be questioned by phone.

Stroke, Falling, Fall, Core stabilization, Core exercising, Cerebrovascular Accident, Fall prevention

Core stabilization + Multifactorial Education Program (patient-specific upper and lower extremity stretching and strengthening exercises; application of functional electrical stimulation (FES) to upper and lower extremity muscles; balance, coordination and gait training)+ Informing about fall prevention (by verbal and written)

Multifactorial Education Program (patient-specific upper and lower extremity stretching, relaxation and strengthening exercises; application of functional electrical stimulation (FES) to upper and lower extremity muscles; balance, coordination and gait training)+ Informing about fall prevention (by verbal and written)

In our study, core stabilization exercises to be applied in the intervention group are arranged according to the patients with stroke and will be at three different difficulty levels. Exercises will be done on the back (hooked) and sitting positions where the risk of falling is low. First of all, activation of the "transversus abdominis" muscle, which is the basis of core stabilization, will be taught to patients. With this activation at the first level, the healthy side, at the second level the affected side, and at the third level, reciprocal upper and lower extremity movements will be requested. In addition to these, there will be exercises to bridge and curl up in supine position, and weight transfer in sitting position. In order to increase the difficulty level of the exercises, first of all, the number of exercises will be increased and then it will be asked to move on to the next level.

The content of this program includes rehabilitation practices that are routinely applied in stroke rehabilitation and that patients will receive at the specified hospital. In the content of these applications; patient-specific upper and lower extremity stretching, and strengthening exercises; application of functional electrical stimulation (FES) to upper and lower extremity muscles; balance, coordination and gait training are included. he content of multifactorial fall prevention training includes the first brochure titled '' General Recommendations for the Prevention of Fall in Chronic Stroke Patients '', which will include general recommendations for preventing falling according to the fall risk factors specific to the stroke, and the recommendations to minimize the risk of falling in the home. A second brochure titled 'Suggestions for Making Your Home Safer' will be given. The information in these brochures will also be communicated to patients face to face verbally

A chart will be prepared so that patients can record any falls and the patient will be asked to indicate the date of the fall on this chart.The total falling numbers of the two groups will be compared.

It will be used to assess balance confidence during a total of 16 activities performed inside and outside the home in daily life. Patients will score each activity from 0% (I'm not safe) to 100% (I'm completely safe). Maximum score is 100 point and approaching this value indicates that the balance confidence is good. A score below 63.75 indicates the risk of falling. At the end of treatment, the score is expected to be higher than the baseline and this value.

It will be evaluated at the beginning of treatment and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment for each patient.

This test evaluate reflexes, motor recovery, voluntary movements, coordination and speed dependent on synergy or independent of synergy in the lower extremity. It consists of 17 items and the maximum score is 34. Higher scores indicate greater motor recovery. In order to have a minimal clinically significant change, there should be a 6-point change before and after treatment.

It will be evaluated at the beginning of treatment and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment for each patient.

The patient sits on the chair with feet on the floor and back straight and asked to get up and sit from the chair 5 times repeatedly at the speed patient can by crossing his arms on his chest, and the elapsed time is recorded in seconds. The shorter the time to complete the test indicates better lower extremity function. In order to have a minimal clinically significant change, there should be a 2.3 seconds change before and after treatment.

It will be evaluated at the beginning of treatment and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment for each patient.

Four squares are created by placing two walking sticks on the floor and the squares are numbered from 1 to 4. Patients stand on the number 1 square and step back to the right, back, left and forward in the order of the numbers, and then move on to the number 1 square again. The same stepping is performed in the opposite direction. The elapsed time is recorded. The shorter the time to complete the test indicates better lower extremity function and dynamic balance. Completing the test in more than 15 seconds shows the risk of falling. In order to have a minimal clinically significant change, there should be a 6.73 seconds change before and after treatment.

It will be evaluated at the beginning of treatment and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment for each patient.

Although it is a test that evaluates the strength and endurance of the trunk muscles, it consists of 2 main parts. There are 2 separate tests in the strength section and they are graded between 0-5 points. Endurance section consists of 5 tests in total and is graded between 0-6. Total score is 40. Higher scores indicate better trunk strength and endurance. The difference in points will be checked before and after treatment.

It will be evaluated at the beginning of treatment and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment for each patient.

It is a valid and reliable test that evaluates balance both statically and dynamically. The 14 basic functions are evaluated by observation and scored between 0 and 4. Total score is 56. Higher scores indicate better balance function. Scoring below 45 indicates the risk of falling. In order to have a minimal clinically significant change, there should be a 4 point change before and after treatment.

Patients are asked to raise one leg while standing. The time is started when the patient lifts his foot. The time is stopped when the patient touches the ground. If he stands on one leg for 30 seconds, the test is finished. Being able to stand on one leg for less than 5 seconds indicates an increased risk of falling. In order to have a minimal clinically significant change, there should be a 6.7 seconds change before and after treatment.

It will be evaluated at the beginning of treatment and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment for each patient.

Patients are asked to stand up from the chair without arm support, walk 3 meters and return to the chair again. The elapsed time is recorded in seconds. The shorter the time to complete the test indicates better dynamic balance and mobility. Completing the test in more than 15 seconds shows the risk of falling. In order to have a minimal clinically significant change, there should be a 2.9 seconds change before and after treatment.

It will be evaluated at the beginning of treatment and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment for each patient.

Inclusion Criteria: Being a volunteer Between 45-75 years old Stroke onset time is 6 months or more Not having botox application to lower extremity muscles in the last 3 months At least has one history of falling in the last 6 months At least has 3 and above level according to the Functional Ambulation Scale Exclusion Criteria: Unstable medical condition Presence of rheumatological, orthopedic or pulmonary disease at a level that prevents participation in exercise Hearing and vision loss at a level that prevents communication Operation due to low back pain Not understanding Turkish verbal and written instructions

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http://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/WHo-Global-report-on-falls-prevention-in-older-age.pdf

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