The Effect of Underwater Gait Training on Balance Ability of Stroke Patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of underwatertreadmill gait training on the balance ability of stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty-twopatients with stroke were randomly assigned to an underwater treadmill group (n =11) or acontrol group (n =11). [Methods] Both groups received general rehabilitation for 30 minper session, 5 times per week, over a 4-week period. The underwater treadmill groupreceived additional underwater gait training for 30 min per session, 5 times per week,over the same 4-week period. Static and dynamic balances were evaluated before and afterthe intervention. [Results] The means of static and dynamic balance ability increasedsignificantly in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the twogroups. [Conclusion] Compared to the general rehabilitation program, underwater treadmillgait training was not more effective at improving the balance ability of stroke patientsthan land-based training.Key words: Stroke, Gait, Stability