Background: A previous study investigated trunk rotation exercises as physical therapy for improving walking ability of post-stroke hemiplegic patients.
Objective: To examine the association between improvement in swing motions on the paralyzed side and walking ability in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.
Methods: Post-stroke hemiplegic patients who could walk by themselves over 15 m without a lower extremity orthosis were included. Stride indices (step length and stride length), pitch index (cadence), balance index (step width), walking speed after trunk rotation exercises (passive exercises of rotation towards the paralyzed side of the lower trunk/rotation towards the unparalyzed side of the upper trunk/rotation towards the paralyzed side of the neck), and angles between trunk, pelvis, and hip joint when the heel on the paralyzed side touched the ground were analyzed.
Results: Step length, stride length, cadence, step width, walking speed, and anterior pelvic tilt angle increased when the heel on the paralyzed side touched the ground. The ability to propel the pelvis also improved.
Conclusion: Physical therapy, such as trunk rotation exercises, are effective in improving walking ability and anterior pelvic tilt motions during walking in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.
