Does the Bobath approach improve trunk control in acute stroke patients?

Aim: In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of Bobath-based trunk training on improving trunk control in acute stroke patients.Material and Methods: A total of 81 stroke patients were randomized to the control (n=41) or experimental group (n=40). Then, the groups were divided into two subgroups, moderate and severe, according to disease severity using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Experimental subgroups received Bobath-based trunk training 5 days a week for 1 hour a day during hospitalization. Control subgroups received a conventional physiotherapy program 5 days a week for 1 hour a day during hospitalization. Sitting ability was evaluated as independent or dependent according to sitting time. Trunk control was assessed with the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and the trunk subscale of Motor Assessment Scale (MAS-T). Balance was assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Functional activity level was assessed with the motor subscale of Functional Independence Measurement (FIM-M). Comparisons between groups were made according to the severity of the disease, and the moderate subgroups were compared with each other, and the severe subgroups with each other.Results: Trunk control, sitting ability and balance improved significantly more in the experimental moderate and severe subgroups than in the control subgroups according to TIS (p<0.05), MAS-T (p<0.05), BBS (p<0.05) and FIM-M scores (p<0.05).Discussion: Bobath-based trunk training improved sitting ability, trunk control, balance and functional independence in acute stroke patients regardless of initial disease severity.