Core muscle rehabilitation during early mobilization after stroke: a narrative review and clinical framework
-
By
-
Chang-lan Ling-hu
-
Qin Yu
-
Meng Li
-
Zhen-zhen Liu
-
Xia-pei Peng
-
July 9, 2026
-
Objective:
To clarify the clinical framework for trunk- or core-focused rehabilitation after stroke, particularly in the early rehabilitation period.
Approach:
- Literature Review: Selective synthesis of recent reviews, consensus statements, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies.
- Clinical Framework: Development of a pragmatic clinical decision-support framework based on clinical experience and expert consensus.
Key Findings:
- Distinction between upright early mobilization and preparatory bed-level trunk activation.
- Core training is an adjunct to evidence-based functional training, not a substitute.
- Individualization based on age, stroke severity, subtype, neurological status, and hemodynamic tolerance is emphasized.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
- Fixed hyperacute dose prescriptions are not supported by current evidence.
- The narrative review design introduces selection and subjective biases.
Conclusion:
