The Effect of a Task-oriented Training on Trunk Control Ability, Balance and Gait of Stroke Patients

[Purpose] This study examined the effect on stroke patients of a task-oriented training program for trunk control ability, balance and gait. [Methods] The subjects were 20 inpatients who were randomly divided into two groups; Ten patients in the experimental group performed the task-oriented training (3 times/wk) and received general physical therapy (5 times/wk) for 4 weeks, and 10 patients in the control group received only general physical therapy (5 times/wk) for 4 weeks. The Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go test (TUG), and 10 m walking time, were measured before and after the 4 weeks of therapy. [Results] The experimental group showed significant improvements in trunk control ability, balance and gait after 4 weeks of task-oriented training. Except for TUG, significant differences in trunk control ability, balance and gait were observed between the experimental and control groups. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated that task-oriented training after a stoke can improve the trunk control ability, balance and gait, which be effective in stroke rehabilitation.