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NCT Number: NCT07633249

Effect of Core Stability Training on Trunk Control and Sitting Balance in Patients With Paraplegia

This study aims to investigate the effect of core stability training on trunk control and sitting balance in patients with paraplegia resulting from incomplete spinal cord injury.

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Key information

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Spinal Cord Diseases Spinal Cord Injuries Trauma, Nervous System Wounds and Injuries

Age range

25 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of physical therapy Cairo University

Giza, Giza Governorate, 12613, Egypt

About this study

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of core stability training in improving trunk control and sitting balance in patients with paraplegia due to traumatic incomplete spinal cord injury. Forty-six participants diagnosed with incomplete SCI at neurological levels T6-T12 were randomly assigned into two groups. The study group received core stability training in addition to selected conventional physical therapy, while the control group received the same selected physical therapy program only.

Outcome measures included trunk control assessed by the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), sitting balance assessed by the Seated Functional Reach Test (SFRT) and T-shirt Test, and weight-bearing symmetry assessed using the Wii Balance Board (WBB). The study aimed to determine whether adding core stability training could significantly improve trunk control, sitting balance, and weight distribution symmetry in this population.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with traumatic incomplete SCI.
  • Neurological level between T6 and T12 according to ASIA classification.
  • Age from 25 to 35 years.
  • Ability to maintain unsupported sitting.
  • Medically stable condition.
  • Adequate cognitive ability to follow instructions.
  • Duration of injury more than six months.
  • Moderate trunk impairment (TIS score 8-14).
  • BMI less than 30 kg/m

Exclusion criteria

  • other neurological disorders affecting balance.
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions.
  • Active lumbar or pelvic pressure sores.
  • Orthopedic disorders affecting trunk control or sitting balance.
  • Severe spasticity interfering with sitting balance

Treatment and study plan

Selected conventional physical therapy program

Other

Patients received selected conventional physical therapy program in form of:

  • Passive and active-assisted ROM exercises for lower limbs
  • Upper limb strengthening exercises
  • Conventional trunk training on stable sitting surfaces
  • Functional sitting balance exercises
  • Transfer and wheelchair mobility training

Treatment was conducted for about 60 minutes, three sessions per week for eight weeks

conventional physical therapy program in addition to Core Stability Training.

Other

The core stability program consisted of progressive trunk stabilization exercises targeting deep trunk muscles. Training included:

  • Static trunk stabilization exercises
  • Multidirectional reaching tasks
  • Anterior, posterior, and lateral weight-shifting activities
  • Advanced exercises on unstable surfaces
  • Upper limb activities combined with trunk stabilization

The sessions were divided into 40-45 minutes of selected conventional physical therapy modalities and exercises, followed immediately by 15-20 minutes of progressive Core Stability Training (CST) targeting the deep stabilizing muscles of the trunk .

Primary outcomes

  1. Weight Distribution Symmetry (Wii Balance Board)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Assessment of sitting weight-bearing symmetry using the Wii Balance Board by measuring the percentage of body weight distributed between the right and left sides.

  2. Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Assessment of trunk control through evaluation of static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance, and trunk coordination. Higher scores indicate better trunk performance.

  3. Seated Functional Reach Test (SFRT)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Assessment of dynamic sitting balance by measuring maximum forward reaching distance while maintaining sitting stability.

  4. T-shirt Test

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Functional assessment of dynamic sitting balance and trunk coordination through timed dressing performance while seated.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Core Stability Training on Trunk Control and Sitting Balance in Patients With Paraplegia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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