Electromyographic alterations of trunk muscle of patients with post-stroke hemiparesis

Stroke is the main cause of chronic disability in adults, but few studies evaluated the trunk motor activity in affected subjects. Objective: To compare the myoelectrical activity of trunk muscle in hemiparetic and control subjects. Method: Eight hemiparetic and eight control subjects were assessed during lower extremities flexion and trunk rotation in supine position; stand up and rise up upper extremities in seated position. Results: Paretic rectus abdominis presented a higher activation than control group (p=0.031) during lower extremities elevation. Obliquus externus abdominis showed a bilateral higher activation during lower extremities elevation than rotation activities (p=0.014 and p=0.002, respectively). There was no difference in extension activities comparison. Conclusion: Trunk flexor muscles of hemiparetic subjects demonstrated motor alterations in rectus abdominis of paretic side and compensations were used with Obliquus externus.