Trunk Impairment Scale for Evaluation of Functional Improvement in Acute Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the change of balance of the trunk using the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) in acute stroke patients and to compare it with the improvement in activities in their daily living (ADL) and gait. METHOD: The mean days from the onset of stroke were 11.3 (6~17) days, and functional improvement of 24 hemiplegic patients was evaluated using the trunk impairment scale, Berg balance scale, timed up and go test, 6 minutes walk test, and the modified Barthel index every week for 4 weeks' conventional rehabilitation programs. Correlations between the trunk impairment scale and the other parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The trunk impairment scale and the modified Barthel index, both which showed significant improvement after 4 weeks, had statistically significant correlation (p<0.05). The Berg balance scale had not improved significantly in 4 weeks. The timed up and go test and the 6 minutes' walk test could not be evaluated in most of these patients within 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: The trunk impairment scale could be a useful parameter for evaluating activities in their daily living (ADL) improvement in acute stroke patients who are unable to ambulate independently. And good trunk balance in acute stroke period is positive correlation with ambulation potential.