The effect of chest expansion exercise with TENS on gait ability and trunk control in chronic stroke patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chest expansion exercise with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on gait ability and trunk control of patient with stroke. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were divided into 7 in the chest expansion exercise with TENS group (experimental group) and 7 in the chest expansion exercise with placebo TENS (control group). The gait ability and trunk contol were measured using Six-Minute Walk Test, Tinetti gait index and Trunk impairment scale (TIS). [Results] Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant improvement in the Six-Minute Walk Test, Tinetti gait index, and TIS total score. The dynamic sitting balance and coordination of TIS showed significant improvement only in the experimental group. In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant improvement in Tinetti gait index and TIS total score than the control group. [Conclusion] This study showed that chest expansion exercise with TENS was an effective method for improving gait ability and trunk control in chronic stroke patients.