Clinical tools to measure trunk performance after stroke: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Objective : To give a systematic review of clinical measurement scales used to assess trunk performance after stroke.

Data sources : The databases CINAHL, Cochrane, Pedro and PubMed were searched with the terms `sitting balance' plus `stroke' and `trunk' plus `stroke' mentioned in the title or abstract. Databases were searched from inception to January 2006.

Review methods : All articles were selected which reported or included a clinical measure of trunk performance used in an adult stroke population. Reference lists were searched as secondary sources of articles.

Results : A total of 458 articles resulted from the database search. Thirty-two articles were eligible for inclusion. Earlier studies mentioned ordinal single items or a combination of items which are part of a larger scale used to assess sitting balance as a derived measure of trunk performance. Three clinical tools were available which specifically evaluated trunk performance after stroke; the Trunk Control Test and two Trunk Impairment Scales.

Conclusion : Ordinal single items or subscales of existing larger scales lack a systematic evaluation of psychometric characteristics. Both Trunk Impairment Scales have been extensively examined. A comparative study assessing psychometric properties of the Trunk Control Test and two Trunk Impairment Scales could determine which should be the measure of choice when assessing trunk performance after stroke.

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