Importance of Core Stability for Coordinated Movement of the Human Body in Stroke Rehabilitation
Condition: Stroke
MeSH terms: Stroke
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This is an observational study. Measurements were made during two different motor tasks:
      trunk tilts without and with the tension of the abdominal muscles in the sitting position and
      walking in a place with high knee lifting. It was checked how the intervention (active
      tension of the muscles stabilizing the core) changes the parameters of the motor coordination
      of the trunk and lower limbs.
    

Detailed description: 
      Surface electrodes (single-use 55 and 40 mm; ECG Electrodes; Sorimex, Poland) were glued to
      the subject's body according to the SENIAM (Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the Non-Invasive
      Assessment of Muscles) procedure for the transverse abdominal, multifidus, and supraspinal
      muscles, and a laser rangefinder was attached to the dorsal side at chest height. Before each
      exercise, the subject was instructed on how the exercise should be done.

      The examination involved two motor exercises. In the first one, the subject was seated on the
      therapeutic table (with their upper extremities crossed over their chest) and instructed to
      lean forward as far as possible (ideally to place their torso on their thighs) and then
      quickly return to their starting position. The movement was repeated three times. Then the
      subject performed three more repetitions of the movement with their core engaged (i.e., their
      abdominal muscles contracted or "stabilized"). The range of trunk inclination in the sagittal
      plane (mm) and in the frontal plane (m), and the reaction of the multifidus, transverse
      abdominal, and supraspinatus muscles (tension values reported in microvolts [µV]) were
      measured using a millimeter board, laser pointer, rangefinder (measurement/angle of
      inclination accuracy of ± 1.5 mm), electrode, and a device for measuring the voltage of
      selected muscle groups, Luna EMG (accuracy of measurement [-1-+1V+/-1mV]).

      The second exercise was a march-in-place with a high elevation of the knees. This exercise
      was also done as quickly as possible (time measured for 20 steps in place in seconds [s]).
      The exercise was done in duplicate. On the second occasion, subjects were instructed to do
      the exercise with their core engaged (i.e., their abdominal muscles contracted or
      "stabilized"). The exercise was performed in duplicate. The duration of the march and the
      elevation of the feet were measured, as well as the activity of the multifidus, transverse
      abdominal, and supraspinatus muscles.
    

Intervention name(s): core stability in a sitting position and while walking in one place
Intervention type(s): Procedure
Intervention description(s): The intervention consisted of checking how the active tension of the multisection and transverse abdominal muscles affects the pattern of the trunk movement (in the sitting position) and the work of the lower limbs and the speed of movement while walking in a place.
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: stroke; core stability; muscle tone; motor coordination