Investigation of the relationship between trunk control and lower extremity motor coordination with functional balance and time-distance characteristics of walking in chronic stroke patients

This study aims to investigate the effect of trunk control and lower extremity motor coordination on functional balance and time-distance characteristics in chronic stroke patients. In this observational study, 53 stroke patients in the chronic phase aged between 45 and 75 years who were able to walk independently were included. The stroke severity of the patients was evaluated using the Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA) Scale, lower extremity coordination of the hemiplegic side was assessed using the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT), and trunk control was evaluated using the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). Gait assessments were performed using the slow and fast 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and the GAITRite gait analysis system. Upon examination of the findings, it was determined that trunk control and lower extremity coordination had a low to moderate correlation with fast 10MWT (r=-0.563, r=-0.400, respectively, p<0.001), a moderate to good correlation with TUG (r=-0.614, r=-0.510, respectively, p<0.001), and a low to moderate correlation with the step length of the hemiplegic side (r= 0.419, r=0.331, respectively, p<0.01). When the effect sizes of these relationships were examined, it was observed that trunk control had a greater impact on gait speed, functional mobility, and step length than lower extremity motor coordination. Our study results indicate that as walking speed increases, there is an increased need for trunk control, and that trunk control affects walking and functional mobility more than lower extremity coordination. We believe that evaluating trunk control and lower extremity coordination in individuals with post-stroke decrease in walking speed and step length will positively affect the rehabilitation process. Keywords: Stroke, coordination, trunk control, gait