This study aims to investigate the effect of core stability training on trunk control and sitting balance in patients with paraplegia resulting from incomplete spinal cord injury.
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of core stability training in improving trunk control and sitting balance in patients with paraplegia due to traumatic incomplete spinal cord injury. Forty-six participants diagnosed with incomplete SCI at neurological levels T6-T12 were randomly assigned into two groups. The study group received core stability training in addition to selected conventional physical therapy, while the control group received the same selected physical therapy program only. Outcome measures included trunk control assessed by the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), sitting balance assessed by the Seated Functional Reach Test (SFRT) and T-shirt Test, and weight-bearing symmetry assessed using the Wii Balance Board (WBB). The study aimed to determine whether adding core stability training could significantly improve trunk control, sitting balance, and weight distribution symmetry in this population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
46
Patients received selected conventional physical therapy program in form of: 1. Passive and active-assisted ROM exercises for lower limbs 2. Upper limb strengthening exercises 3. Conventional trunk training on stable sitting surfaces 4. Functional sitting balance exercises 5. Transfer and wheelchair mobility training Treatment was conducted for about 60 minutes, three sessions per week for eight weeks
The core stability program consisted of progressive trunk stabilization exercises targeting deep trunk muscles. Training included: 1. Static trunk stabilization exercises 2. Multidirectional reaching tasks 3. Anterior, posterior, and lateral weight-shifting activities 4. Advanced exercises on unstable surfaces 5. Upper limb activities combined with trunk stabilization The sessions were divided into 40-45 minutes of selected conventional physical therapy modalities and exercises, followed immediately by 15-20 minutes of progressive Core Stability Training (CST) targeting the deep stabilizing muscles of the trunk .
Faculty of physical therapy Cairo University
Giza, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Weight Distribution Symmetry (Wii Balance Board)
Assessment of sitting weight-bearing symmetry using the Wii Balance Board by measuring the percentage of body weight distributed between the right and left sides.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS)
Assessment of trunk control through evaluation of static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance, and trunk coordination. Higher scores indicate better trunk performance.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Seated Functional Reach Test (SFRT)
Assessment of dynamic sitting balance by measuring maximum forward reaching distance while maintaining sitting stability.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
T-shirt Test
Functional assessment of dynamic sitting balance and trunk coordination through timed dressing performance while seated.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
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