The investigation of effect of the corset using on balance, muscle activation and quality of life in stroke patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of corset using on balance, muscle activation, functional mobility and quality of life in stroke patients. 44 individuals who had stroke diagnosis and hospitalized in Ministry of Health Bolu Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation facility included this study. Patients divided randomly in two seperate groups which corset group (n¬¬¬¬¬=23) and control group (n=21). All patients received physical therapy pogramme every workday for 2 weeks. Corset group in addition to physical therapy used elastic lomber corset from getting up till going back to sleep. Static balance values of patients were measured with Tetrax balance systems and Functional Forward Reach Test (FRT). Dynamic balance was measured with Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Transversus abdominus muscle strenght was assessed with Chattanoga stabilizer, for quality of life measurement, Nothingham Health Profile (NHP) was used. There was significant difference in favor of corset group for FRT, BBS and Tetrax WDI (Weight Distribution Index) after 2 weeks usage of corset (p<0,05). We found significant difference in both pretreatment and 1 week after results, and in group × time interaction for fall index (p<0,05). There was no significant difference for Tetrax Fourier harmony index's F7-F8 scores and stabilizer scores between pretreatment, 1 week and 2 weeks later of treatment (p>0,05). For TUG and NHP scores there was significant difference both in favor of corset usage and before treatment groups dispersions (p<0,05). In this study, we found that short term usage of corset in stroke patients had effect on balance. Keywords: Balance, Trunk, Stroke, Core stability, Corset, Quality of life.