Comparison of the changes in thickness of the abdominal wall muscles of stroke patients according to the duration of their illness as observed using ultrasonographic images.

[Purpose] This study was conducted in order to investigate the importance of trunk muscle strength in stroke patients. By comparing the thicknesses of the abdominal wall muscles through ultrasonography, relative to the duration of illness, the results of the objective data were applied. [Methods] Thirty stroke patients were divided into three groups including an acute phase group participating in the study within 1 month after the onset of a stroke (n=10), a subacute phase group participating less than 6 months (n=10) after a stroke, and a chronic phase group participating more than 6 months (n=10) after suffering a stroke. The thicknesses of the transversus abdominis muscles (TrA), internal oblique muscle (IO), and the external oblique muscle (EO) were measured at rest and during abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) in a supine hook-lying position, and their differences were compared. [Results] The results showed that, in comparison of the thicknesses of the paretic and nonparetic sides, the TrA of the subacute phase and chronic phase groups showed significant differences. In addition, the IO of the subacute phase group and the EO of the chronic phase groups also showed significant differences. [Conclusion] According to the duration of illness in stroke patients, the abdominal wall muscles become noticeably infirm and asymmetric. By improving their symmetry, the functions of the trunk muscles can be recovered.