Effect of Pelvic Control Exercises in Stroke

Effect of Pelvic and Trunk Control Exercises on Function Outcome of Affected Upper Extremity in Stroke Patients

The purpose of the study is to investigate the combined effect of pelvic and trunk control exercises on muscle performance of affected upper extremity in stroke patients.

The study conducted on forty stroke patients. They assessed by Biodex System 3 Pro Isokinetic, Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS), Fugel Meyer Assessment scale (FMAS), Box and block test and hand grip dynamometer. Patients divided into control group and study group. The control group treated by a traditional physical therapy program.The study group treated by the traditional physical therap program in addition to pelvic and trunk control exercises for 40 min.

Twenty Egyptian male stroke patients will receive 40 minutes of pelvic and trunk control exercises for six weeks after a 30 minutes of traditional physical therapy program.

Twenty Egyptian male stroke patients will receive 30 minutes of sham traditional physical therapy program for six weeks.

Patients in this group will be treated by the traditional physical therapy program in addition to a 18 sessions of pelvic control exercises for 40 min included pelvic tilting exercises and pelvic stabilization exercises from different positions. Pelvic tilting exercises included anterior, posterior and lateral pelvic tilting. Pelvic stabilization exercises include bridging, planking, clamshell and quadribed exercises. In addition to trunk control exercise which consist of lifting the pelvis with crock-lying, unilateral pelvic bridge, upper trunk flexion rotation, and lower trunk flexion rotation, flexion extension of the lower trunk, upper trunk lateral flexion, lower trunk lateral flexion, upper trunk rotation, lower trunk rotation, forward reach, and lateral reach.

Changes in peak muscle torque of upper limb muscles from baseline to four weeks after the beginning of intervention

Inclusion Criteria: Patient's age will range from 45 - 60 years. Muscle tone grade will range from 1 to 1+ according to modified Ashworth scale. Duration of illness will range from 6 to 18 months after stroke onset. Ability of the patient to stand without assistive devices. Exclusion Criteria: • Other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that might affect pelvic alignment such as severe arthritis, knee surgery, total hip joint replacement, lower limb fractures, contractures of fixed deformity or leg length discrepancy. Severe chronic back and/or knee pain that might affected standing posture. Recurrent stroke Shoulder or upper limb injury that might affect the recovery. Perceptual or cognitive dysfunctions. BMI > 30