This randomized controlled trial will investigate whether adding diaphragmatic breathing training to conventional physiotherapy improves trunk control and postural stability in individuals with chronic stroke compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. Forty participants with chronic unilateral stroke will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an experimental group receiving diaphragmatic breathing training plus conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy alone. The intervention will be provided three times per week for six weeks.
The study will use a prospective, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled design. Forty individuals with chronic unilateral stroke will be recruited and randomly allocated to either an experimental group or a control group in a 1:1 ratio. The experimental group will receive standard diaphragmatic breathing training in addition to conventional physiotherapy. The control group will receive the same conventional physiotherapy program without diaphragmatic breathing training. Both groups will receive three treatment sessions per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions. Trunk control and postural stability will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the six-week intervention. Trunk control will be assessed using the Trunk Impairment Scale, while postural stability will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System. Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Primary C
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
Standard diaphragmatic breathing training involving slow nasal inspiration with abdominal and lower rib cage expansion, minimal upper chest movement, and slow controlled oral expiration. Participants will perform approximately 10 breaths per set for three sets, with rest periods as needed. Training will be provided for approximately 10-15 minutes per session, three times per week for six weeks.A standardized conventional physiotherapy program including postural alignment and trunk activation, sitting weight-shifting, controlled trunk rotation, sit-to-stand training, standing weight-shifting, static standing balance, and functional mobility/gait training. Treatment will be provided three times per week for six weeks.
Trunk Impairment Scale
Trunk control will be assessed using the original 17-item Trunk Impairment Scale, which evaluates static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance, and coordination. Total scores range from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating better trunk control.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 6)
Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS)
Trunk control will be assessed using the original 17-item Trunk Impairment Scale, which evaluates static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance, and coordination. Total scores range from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating better trunk control.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 6)
Biodex Postural Stability
Postural stability will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System. The selected postural stability index will be recorded under standardized testing conditions, with the same test configuration used at baseline and post-intervention.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 6)
Timed Up and Go (TUG)
Functional mobility will be assessed using the 3-meter Timed Up and Go test. The time required for the participant to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return to the chair, and sit down will be recorded in seconds. Lower completion time indicates better functional mobility.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 6)
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