Trunk muscle strength in relation to balance and functional disability in unihemispheric stroke patients.

Objective: To evaluate trunk muscle strength in unihemispheric stroke patients and to assess how it relates to body balance and functional disability in this patient group.

Design: This prospective case-comparison study investigated isometric and isokinetic reciprocal trunk flexion and extension strength at angular velocities in 38 unihemispheric stroke patients and 40 healthy volunteers. The Berg balance scale was used to assess balance and stability, and the FIM instrument was used to evaluate functional disability in the patient group.