Relationship of trunk control with lower extremity sense, balance and walking in stroke individuals

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between trunk control and lower extremity sense, balance and gait in stroke individuals. 30 patients, followed up with diagnosis of stroke in SANKO University Sani Konukoglu Application and Research Hospital between the dates of January 2021 – June 2021, live in Gaziantep, whose average ages were 52,2  14,4, were included into the study. For the inclusion of the individuals, Hodkinson Mental Test, Brunnstrom stages, and Modified Ashworth scale were applied. The individuals who could get 7 points and above of Hodkinson Mental Test, whose lower extremity functions were between 2 and 6 according to the Brunnstrom motor recovery stages, whose affected lower extremity spasticity was below 4 points according to the Modified Ashworth Scale and who could walk 10 m independently were included into the study. The demographic and disease informations were recorded. Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and Turkish version of Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS-T) was used for evaluating the body control, and Tinetti Balance-Gait Test (TBGT) was used for evaluating balance and walking, also Tinetti Gait Test (TGT) and 10 Meter Walking Test (TMWT) was applied for evaluating walking. For lower extremity the light touch sense and proprioception, Fugl Mayer Sensory-Motor Function Test (FMSMFT) scale were used. Furthermore, neglect, plantar pressure sense and stereognosis for lower extremity were evaluated. For the statistical analysis of the data, SPSS for Windows version 24.0 package program was used and p<0,05 was considered as statistically significant. There was a significant negatively strong correlation between TIS and TBGT-TGT and FMSMFT, and positively strong correlation between TIS and TMWT (p<0,05). There was a significant positively strong correlation between PASS-T and TBGT, negatively strong correlation between TMWT; and positively strong correlation between TGT and FMSMFT (p<0,05). TIS, PASS-T, TBGT-TGT values were found significantly high in the presence of plantar pressure sense and stereognosis; and significantly low in the presence of neglect (p<0,05). As a conclusion, trunk control is related with lower extremity sense and affects balance and walking. Keywords: Stroke; Trunk Control; Lower Extremity; Sense; Walking