Trunk control test as a functional predictor in stroke patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the Trunk Control Test (TCT) correlation at admission to rehabilitation with length of stay, functional independence measure (FIM), gait velocity, walking distance and balance measured at discharge in 28 hemiparetic patients. FIM and TCT were registered on admission. Outcome measures at discharge were: FIM, gait velocity, walking distance and balance assessed with the Berg Balance Scale and computerized posturography. TCT was significantly correlated with length of stay (r = -0.722), discharge FIM (r = 0.738), discharge motor FIM (r = 0.723), gait velocity (r = 0.654), walking distance (p = 0.003), centre of gravity symmetry (r = 0.601) and Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.755). Initial TCT predicts the 52% of the variation in length of stay and 54% in the discharge FIM. The predictive value of a compound variable (TCT and admission FIM) reaches 60% of the variation in length of stay and 66% in the FIM at discharge.