Effects of Task-related Trunk Training with Sensory Electrical Stimulation on Sitting Balance in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of sensory electrical stimulation (SES) and task-related trunk training (TRTT) interventions on sitting postural control in stroke survivors. METHODS: Acute to subacute stroke survivors were screened and recruited for this study. Patients were randomly assigned to the SES group, receiving TRTT combined with simultaneous SES of the neck and lumbar muscles, or to the sham group, receiving TRTT combined with sham stimulation. The primary outcome of the sitting task assessment was the joint angles of the neck and trunk. The outcome was measured at three time points (baseline; online effect: 10 min after the intervention started while the intervention continued; and after-effect: immediately after the intervention). RESULTS: In total, 26 patients were divided into the SES (n=13) and sham (n=13) groups. The SES group showed a significant increase in the trunk joint angle for the online effect (P=0.03) and the after-effect (P=0.01) when compared with those measured at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: TRTT combined with simultaneous SES of the neck and lumbar muscles can immediately change the trunk angle during a sitting balancing task.