INTEGRATING CORE STABILITY WITH TASK-ORIENTED GAIT TRAINING TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONAL AMBULATION POST-STROKE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Trunk control and ambulation are critical rehabilitation goals for stroke survivors. While core stability training enhances proximal control, task-oriented gait training (TOGT) improves functional mobility through repetition of real-life walking tasks. This study investigated the combined effect of core stability and TOGT on functional ambulation post-stroke. Objective: To evaluate whether integrating core stability training with task-oriented gait training leads to superior improvements in trunk control, balance, and gait performance in post-stroke hemiparetic patients compared to conventional physiotherapy alone. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 40 subacute stroke survivors, allocated into two groups: Experimental Group (n = 20) received a combined intervention of core stability and TOGT; Control Group (n = 20) received conventional physiotherapy. Both groups underwent 60-minute sessions, five times per week, for six weeks. Outcome measures included the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Modified Rivermead Mobility Index (MRMI). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed by blinded assessors. Results: Experimental Group showed significantly greater improvements across all outcomes (p < 0.001) compared to Control Group. TIS scores increased by 7.9 ± 1.2 points in Experimental Group versus 3.5 ± 1.0 in Control Group. Walking speed improved by 3.2 ± 0.6 seconds in Experimental Group compared to 1.4 ± 0.5 in Control Group . FAC, BBS, TUG, and MRMI scores also reflected superior gains in the experimental group. Conclusion: Integrating core stability training with task-oriented gait training is more effective than conventional physiotherapy in improving trunk control and functional ambulation post-stroke. This dual-targeted approach offers a promising strategy for optimizing stroke rehabilitation outcomes.