The Application of Sling Exercise Training in People With Chronic Stroke

The Application of Sling Exercise Training in People With Chronic Stroke - The Emphasis of Core Muscle Control on Gait

The purpose of this single-blinded, randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of sling exercise training (SET) for core muscle on gait performance in people with chronic stroke.

Background and purpose: Balance and gait performance are often impaired in people post stroke. Evidence showed positive correlations between trunk control and balance and walking ability. Previous studies applying core muscle training reported positive effects on improving trunk control and sitting balance among patients with chronic stroke, but benefits on standing balance and gait performance remain undetermined. Sling exercise training (SET) has been suggested for improving core muscle stability and strength in people with stroke. However, studies about effects of SET on gait performance in stroke populations are limited. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effects of SET for core muscle on gait performance in people with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty-eight individuals with chronic stroke will be recruited and assigned to one of the two groups by randomization, sling exercise training group and conventional training group. The training is 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week for total of 4 weeks. Gait performance is the primary outcome to include gait speed, stride length, single leg support time and temporal and spatial symmetry measured by GAITRite® System. Secondary outcomes include balance, timed up-and-go (TUG) test and trunk performance. All outcomes will be assessed before, after the 4-week training program and at 4-week follow-up.

Participants will practice core muscle exercise in different positions with sling systems (Redcord®, Norway).

Participants will practice balance exercise, including sit-to-stand, forward reaching, postural training on the therapeutic ball, maintaining standing balance with eyes open and progress to eyes close, and tandem stance.

All participants will receive exercise training for 30 min/ session, 3 sessions/ week for 4 weeks (a total of 12 training sessions). The training includes 20 min of sling exercise training and 10 min treadmill training.

All participants will receive exercise training for 30 min/ session, 3 sessions/ week for 4 weeks (a total of 12 training sessions). The training includes 20 min of balance exercise training and 10 min treadmill training.

Change from baseline gait speed at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline stride length at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline single leg support time at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline temporal and spatial symmetry index at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Using Balance Master®: Limits of Stability test to assess movement velocity during moving center of pressure to the highlighted target.

Change from baseline movement velocity at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Using Balance Master®: Limits of Stability test to assess directional control during moving center of pressure to the highlighted target.

Change from baseline directional control at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Using Balance Master®: Limits of Stability test to assess maximal excursion during moving center of pressure to the highlighted target.

Change from baseline maximal excursion at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline postural sway under one leg stance at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to assess functional balance performance. Berg Balance Scale is a 14-item scale which scoring 0-4 of each, ranges from 0 to 56, and higher score indicates better balance performance.

Change from baseline BBS at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline mobility performance at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Using Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) to assess ability of trunk control. The trunk impairment scale ranges from 0 to 23, and a higher scoring indicates a better trunk control.

Change from baseline TIS at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline strength of trunk flexors at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline strength of trunk extensors at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Change from baseline strength of trunk lateral flexors at 4 weeks and at 4 weeks after the intervention period (pre-, post-test and follow-up)

Inclusion Criteria: Stroke after onset ≥ 6 months Trunk impairment scale (TIS) score ≤ 21 at baseline Brunnstrome stage ≥ IV over the affected lower extremity Ability to independently walk for 10 meters with or without assistive devices Intact cognition with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) ≥ 24 Exclusion Criteria: Any other significant musculoskeletal disorder, neurological disease or cardiovascular disease that may affect the participation in this study. Vision or language deficit that may affect participating in this study.