Objective  To investigate the effect of trunk control training on trunk function, balance, mobility and functional independence in hemiplegia patients after acute stroke, and to compare the therapeutic effects with conventional stroke rehabilitation.

  Methods  The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. The subjects and evaluators were blinded and the therapist was unblinded. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group using a computer-generated random number table, the experimental group (n=15) received30 min of high-intensity trunk control training plus 15 min of low-intensity conventional stroke rehabilitation (45 min, once1 d for 5 d). The control group (n=15) received only 45 min low-intensity conventional stroke rehabilitation, once 1 d for 5 d. Trunk function was the primary outcome, which was evaluated by the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). The secondary outcome included balance, mobility and functional independence, which were assessed by the Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA), the Modified Rivermead Mobility Index (MRMI) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Subjects were assessed before and after the intervention.

  Results  After 5 d of treatment, the scores of TIS general table, TIS static sitting balance sub table, TIS coordination sub table, BBA, MRMI and MBI were increased, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). The trunk control training group improved dynamic sitting balance more significantly, the score of TIS dynamic sitting balance sub table increased more than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).

  Conclusion  The results of this study indicate that trunk control training has improved trunk function, balance, mobility, and activities of daily living in hemiplegia patients after acute stroke, and trunk control training improves dynamic sitting balance more effectively than conventional stroke rehabilitation.