[Purpose] This study examined the effects of trunk exercises performed on an unstable surface on trunk muscle activation, postural control, and gait speed in stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty-four participants with stroke were recruited in this study and randomly distributed into experimental (n = 12) and control groups (n = 12). [Methods] Subjects in the experimental group participated in trunk exercises on the balance pad for 30 min, five times a week for 4 weeks; those in the control group performed trunk exercises on a stable surface for 30 min, five times a week for 4 weeks. Trunk muscle activation was measured by using surface electromyography, and trunk control was evaluated with the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). Gait speed was measured with the 10-Meter Walk Test. [Results] Activity of the external and internal oblique muscles in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The TIS score of the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement than did that of the control group. The 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) score also significantly improved in the experimental group. [Conclusion] Trunk exercises on an unstable surface improve trunk muscle activation, postural control, and gait speed in patients with hemiparetic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Auditory feedback enables an individual to identify and modify the differences between actual and intended movement during the motor learning process. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of gait training with auditory feedback on trunk

Background. Spasticity is a factor that impairs the independent functional ability of stroke patients, and noninvasive methods such as electrical stimulation or taping have been reported to have antispastic effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) combined with taping on spasticity, muscle strength, and gait ability in stroke patients. Methods. From July to October 2020, 46 stroke patients with moderate spasticity in the plantar flexors participated and were randomly assigned to the TENS group (n = 23) and the TENS+taping group (n = 23). All subjects performed a total of 30 sessions of functional training for 30 min/session, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. For therapeutic exercise, sit‐to‐standing, indoor walking, and stair walking were performed for 10 min each. In addition, all participants in both groups received TENS stimulation around the peroneal nerve for 30 min before performing functional training. In the TENS+taping group, taping was additionally applied to the feet, ankles, and shin area after TENS, and the taping was replaced once a day. The composite spasticity score and handheld dynamometer measurements were used to assess the intensity of spasticity and muscle strength, respectively. Gait ability was measured using a 10 m walk test. Results. The spasticity score and muscle strength were significantly improved in the TENS+taping group compared to those in the TENS group (p < 0.05). A significant improvement in gait speed was observed in the TENS+taping group relative to that in the TENS group (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Thus, TENS combined with taping may be useful in improving spasticity, muscle strength, and gait ability in stroke patients. Based on these results, an additional application of taping could be used to enhance the antispastic effect of TENS or other electrical stimulation treatments in the clinic. A long‐term follow‐up study is needed to determine whether the spasticity relieving effect persists after taping is removed.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the efficacy of Task-Related Training (TRT) Combined with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on the improvement of upper limb muscle activation in chronic stroke survivors with mild or moderate paresis. METHODS: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 46stroke survivors with chronic paresis. They were randomly allocated two groups: the TRT+TENS group ( n = 23) and the TRT+ placebo TENS (TRT+PLBO) group ( n = 23). The TRT+TENS group received 30 minutes of high-frequency TENS on wrist and elbow extensors, while the TRT+PLBO group received placebo TENS that was not real ES. Both groups did 30 minutes of TRT after TENS application. Intervention was given five days a week for four weeks. The primary outcomes of upper limb muscle activation were measured by integrated EMG (IEMG), a digital manual muscle tester for muscle strength, active range of motion (AROM) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity (FMA-UE). The measurements were performed before and after the 4 weeks intervention period. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements of outcomes in IEMG, AROM, muscle strength and FMA-UE during intervention period. When compared with the TRT+PLBO group, the TRT+TENS group showed significantly greater improvement in muscle activation (wrist extensors, P = 0.045; elbow extensors, P = 0.004), muscle strength (wrist extensors, P = 0.044; elbow extensors, P = 0.012), AROM (wrist extension, P = 0.042; elbow extensors, P = 0.040) and FMA-UE (total, P < 0.001; shoulder/elbow/forearm, P = 0.001; wrist, P = 0.002; coordination, P = 0.008) at the end of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that TRT Combined with TENS can improve paretic muscle activity in upper limb paresis, highlighting the benefits of somatosensory stimulation from TENS.