Comparison of physio ball and plinth trunk exercises regimens on trunk control and functional balance in patients with acute stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of trunk exercises performed using the physio ball as against the plinth, on trunk control and functional balance in patients with acute stroke. DESIGN An observer-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS Thirty patients with acute stroke (mean post-stroke duration 12 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2-34) days) who had the first onset of unilateral haemorrhagic or ischaemic lesion and an independent ability to sit for 30 seconds. SETTING Inpatient stroke rehabilitation centre. INTERVENTIONS The experimental group performed task-specific trunk exercises on an unstable surface (physio ball) while the control group performed them on a stable surface (plinth). In addition to regular acute physiotherapy, both the groups underwent 1 hour of trunk exercises a day, four days a week for three weeks. MAIN MEASURES Trunk Impairment Scale and Brunel Balance Assessment. RESULTS The difference between the baseline characteristics of the patients belonging to both groups was not statistically significant. Post-intervention, both the groups improved on trunk control and functional balance but the experimental group improved more significantly than the control group (change scores of between-group comparison for the total Trunk Impairment Scale 3.06 (1.43), dynamic sitting balance 1.47 (1.36) and coordination 1.3 (0.67) subscales of Trunk Impairment Scale; the total Brunel Balance Assessment 1.8 (1.4) and stepping 1.87 (1.6) component of Brunel Balance Assessment). The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS 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.