OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) includes determining the effects of core training alone or combined with conventional therapy on trunk function, balance, and gait in stroke patients; analysing these effects considering the stroke stage and the core training type; establishing the methodological quality of the studies published to date; and knowing the best dosage and type of exercise these aspects. DATA SOURCE: Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct were searched from inception to January 2022. REVIEW METHOD: A review and meta-analysis of RCTs about core intervention effects on trunk function, balance, and gait in stroke patients was carried out following the Preferred Items for Reporting in Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias and internal validity of the included studies. RESULTS: Twenty nine studies were included (1030 stroke patients). The mean age of the participants was 58.46 +/- 9.89 years, and the average time since the stroke incident was 308.64 +/- 175.52 days. The meta-analysis results showed significant improvements in core interventions for trunk function (P <= 0.008) and balance (P < 0.00001) but not for gait performance (P = 0.11 in chronic and P = 0.06 in pooled cases). In relation to the differential meta-analysis between training performed on stable and unstable surfaces, no significant differences were found in trunk function (P = 0.06) or balance measures (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Core training improves trunk function and balance in acute and chronic patients, but no changes were found in gait performance.

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