Background: Weakness of the trunk muscles decreases the trunk control ability of stroke patients, which is significantly related to balance and gait. Objectives: To compare the impact of diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface and a stable surface for trunk rehabilitation on trunk control, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Nonequivalent control group design. Methods: Twenty four participants were randomized into the experimental group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on an unstable surface, n=12) and the control group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on a stable surface, n=12). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, and the trunk impairment scale (TIS), berg balance scale (BBS), functional gait assessment (FGA), and G-walk were measured. Results: All groups indicated significant increases in all variables (TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, speed, stride length) after four weeks. The TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, gait speed, and stride length group-by-time were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: We found that, in stroke patients, diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface is a more effective method for improving trunk control, balance, and gait ability than diagonal pattern self-exercise on a stable surface.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Subjects
    Experimental Procedures
    Interventions
    Outcome Measures
    Data and Statistical Analyses
RESULTS
    General characteristics of subjects
    Changes in TIS, BBS, FGA, and gait parameter(cadence, gait speed, and stride length)
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Jaeho Yang(Suwon Hospital)
• Shinjun Park(Department of Physical Therapy, Gangdong University)
• Soonhee Kim(Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University) correspondence