Abstract
Stroke survivors frequently present with impaired trunk control, which is a key determinant of mobility, balance, and independence in activities of daily living (ADL). Reliable clinical tools are therefore needed to evaluate postural stability, particularly in patients unable to stand. This randomized controlled study assessed the applicability of the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) in post-stroke patients after completion of a complementary sensory intervention targeting sitting postural stability. Forty inpatients in the subacute stage after stroke were randomized into an Experimental group receiving daily postural training with visual biofeedback in addition to standard physiotherapy, and a Control group receiving standard physiotherapy only. Assessments included TIS and SIS at baseline and post-intervention. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in trunk control, mobility, strength and ADL over time, as reflected by higher TIS and SIS scores. However, the Experimental group achieved greater gains, with the most pronounced effects observed in TIS, as well as SIS Mobility, and SIS ADL domains. Mobility improvements were strongly associated with enhanced ADL performance, underscoring the relevance of trunk control rehabilitation. These findings confirm the clinical sensitivity of TIS and SIS in capturing meaningful postural changes associated with functional recovery after stroke. This study demonstrates that targeted trunk-focused interventions with complementary sensory input can significantly enhance both motor and functional outcomes in stroke survivors. Combining TIS and SIS provides a comprehensive evaluation of clinical performance and patient-reported outcomes, offering valuable insight for rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving independence and quality of life.