Effects of treadmill training with the eyes closed on gait and balance
ability of chronic stroke patients |
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| Authors: | Yong-Wook Kim Sung-Jun Moon |
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| Institution: | 1) Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Sciences, Jeonju University: 303 Cheonjam-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk-do 560-759, Republic of Korea;2) Department of Physical Therapy, Jeonbuk University Hospital of Rehabilitation Medicine, Republic of Korea |
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| Abstract: | Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of treadmill walking with
the eyes closed and open on the gait and balance abilities of chronic stroke patients.
Subjects and Methods] Thirty patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The
treadmill gait training for each group lasted 40 minutes, and sessions were held 3 times a
week for 4 weeks. Gait ability was measured using a Biodex Gait Trainer Treadmill System.
Balance ability was measured using a Biodex Balance System. Results] After the treadmill
training‚ the treadmill training with eyes closed (TEC) group showed significant
improvements in walking distance‚ step length‚ coefficient of variation‚ and limit of
stability (overall‚ lateral affected‚ forward lateral unaffected) compared to the
treadmill training with eyes open (TEO) group. Conclusion] The walking and balance
abilities of the TEC participants showed more improvement after the treadmill walking
sessions than those of the TEO participants. Therefore‚ treadmill walking with visual
deprivation may be useful for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke.Key words: Stroke, Treadmill training, Visual blocking |
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