Correlations among trunk impairment,functional performance,and muscle activity during forward reaching tasks in patients with chronic stroke

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the relationships among trunk impairment,functional performance, and muscle activity during forward reaching tasks in patients withchronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three chronic stroke patients participatedin this study. Trunk impairment and functional performance were evaluated using the TrunkImpairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and 10-Meter Walk Test. Allsubjects were asked to perform 3 different forward reaching tasks (affected side reaching,forward reaching, and less-affected side reaching), and measurements were taken duringthese 3 tasks by using surface electromyography. Correlation analyses were performed toassess the relationships among trunk impairment, functional performance, and muscleactivity during the forward reaching tasks. [Results] Spearman’s correlation analysisrevealed a strong, significant correlation between the Trunk Impairment Scale andfunctional performance, that was associated with balance and gait ability. During the 3different forward reaching tasks, muscle activities of the less-affected lower extremitywere significantly correlated with functional performance. [Conclusion] This studyrevealed the correlations among trunk impairment, functional performance, and muscleactivity during forward reaching tasks in patients with chronic stroke and emphasized theimportance of trunk rehabilitation.Key words: Electromyography, Postural balance, Stroke